honourable
adjective /ˈɒnərəbl/
/ˈɑːnərəbl/
(US English honorable)
- deserving great respect
- She had a long and honourable career in government.
- They managed an honourable 2–2 draw.
- With a few honourable exceptions, the staff were found to be incompetent.
- showing high moral standards
- He was an honourable man who could not lie.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesc1- The only honourable thing to do is to resign.
- My intentions were perfectly honourable.
- I'm sure she's honourable enough, but does that mean she's the best person to negotiate?
- allowing somebody to keep their good name and the respect of others
- an honourable compromise
- They urged her to do the honourable thing and resign.
- He received an honourable discharge from the army.
- the Honourable(abbreviation Hon)[only before noun] (in the UK) a title used by a child of some ranks of the nobilityCultureIn the UK the title 'the Honourable' is used for the children of barons and viscounts and the younger sons of earls.
- the/my Honourable…(abbreviation Hon)[only before noun] (in the UK) a title used by Members of Parliament when talking about or to another Member during a debate
- If my Honourable Friend would give me a chance to answer,…
- Would the Honourable Member agree that…?
- the Honorable(abbreviation Hon)[only before noun] (in the US) a title of respect used for an official of high rank
- the Honorable Alan Simpson, US senator
CultureThe title is used before the names of certain important officials in the US, but not when speaking to them. They include members of Congress, the US Attorney General, members of the Supreme Court, other judges, members of the President's cabinet, US ambassadors, state governors and mayors. compare Right Honourable Use an, not a, before honourable.
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin honorabilis, from honor ‘honour’.