Dictionary

honorable

adjective hon·or·able \ˈä-nər-(ə-)bəl, ˈän-rə-\

: deserving honor and respect

: having or showing honesty and good moral character

: fair and proper : not deserving blame or criticism

Full Definition of HONORABLE

1
:  deserving of honor
2
a :  of great renown :  illustrious
b :  entitled to honor —used as a title for the children of certain British noblemen and for various government officials
3
:  performed or accompanied with marks of honor or respect
4
a :  attesting to creditable conduct
b :  consistent with an untarnished reputation <an honorable withdrawal>
5
:  characterized by integrity :  guided by a high sense of honor and duty
hon·or·abil·i·ty \ˌän-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌä-nə-\ noun
hon·or·able·ness \ˈän-rə-bəl-nəs, ˈä-nə-\ noun
hon·or·ably \-blē\ adverb
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First Known Use of HONORABLE

14th century

Synonym Discussion of HONORABLE

upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>. just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>. conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sire, sous
HONORABLE Defined for Kids

honorable

adjective hon·or·able \ˈä-nə-rə-bəl, ˈän-rə-bəl\

Definition of HONORABLE for Kids

1
:  bringing about or deserving honor <It's an honorable achievement.>
2
:  observing ideas of honor or reputation <They're seeking an honorable peace.>
3
:  having high moral standards of behavior :  ethical, upright <She is too honorable to stoop to cheating.>
hon·or·ably \-blē\ adverb

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