I. ˈänəˌrerē, -eri adjective
Etymology: Latin honorarius, from honor honor + -arius -ary — more at honor
1.
a. : having or conferring distinction
honorary scholar
honorary bridesmaid
honorary engineering society
b. : commemorative
honorary plaque
wrote an honorary ode for the centennial
2.
a. : conferred in recognition of achievement or service without the usual prerequisites, duties, or obligations : titular
does not really tell us what it is like to hold an honorary , though honorable, position in a domain where once his word was law — Richard Griffith
two hard-earned degrees … and several honorary ones — A.W.Griswold
b. : unpaid , unremunerative , voluntary
honorary secretary
in the Australian theater play-writing remains very largely an honorary task and consequently a luxury — Leslie Rees
3. : dependent on honor for fulfillment : moral — used especially of an obligation
II. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin honorarium
1. archaic : honorarium
2.
[by shortening]
: an honorary society
elected to … the senior men's honorary — Neil Stueck
3.
[ honorary (degree)]
: an honorary degree or its recipient