HONORABLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does honorable mean? 

• HONORABLE (adjective)
  The adjective HONORABLE has 4 senses:

1. not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

2. worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

3. adhering to ethical and moral principles

4. deserving of esteem and respect

  Familiarity information: HONORABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HONORABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent

Synonyms:

honest; honorable

Context example:

honest reporting

Similar:

downright (characterized by plain blunt honesty)

Also:

echt; genuine (not fake or counterfeit)

honorable; honourable (worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect)

artless; ingenuous (characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious)

sincere (open and genuine; not deceitful)

square; straight (characterized by honesty and fairness)

true (consistent with fact or reality; not false)

trustworthy; trusty (worthy of trust or belief)

direct (straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action)

Derivation:

honorableness (the quality of deserving honor or respect; characterized by honor)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect

Synonyms:

honorable; honourable

Context example:

honorable service to his country

Similar:

august; revered; venerable (profoundly honored)

laureate (worthy of the greatest honor or distinction)

time-honored; time-honoured (honored because of age or long usage)

Also:

honest; honorable (not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent)

worthy (having worth or merit or value; being honorable or admirable)

reputable (having a good reputation)

noble (having or showing or indicative of high or elevated character)

moral (concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles)

just (used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting)

Attribute:

honorableness; honourableness (the quality of deserving honor or respect; characterized by honor)

Antonym:

dishonorable (lacking honor or integrity; deserving dishonor)

Derivation:

honorableness (the quality of deserving honor or respect; characterized by honor)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Adhering to ethical and moral principles

Synonyms:

ethical; honorable; honourable

Context example:

followed the only honorable course of action

Similar:

right (in conformance with justice or law or morality)

Derivation:

honorableness (the quality of deserving honor or respect; characterized by honor)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Deserving of esteem and respect

Synonyms:

estimable; good; honorable; respectable

Context example:

ruined the family's good name

Similar:

reputable (having a good reputation)

Derivation:

honor (show respect towards)

honorableness (the quality of deserving honor or respect; characterized by honor)

 Context examples 

A moi, l'honorable champion de l'Eveque de Montaubon!

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Our plans go no farther than your marrying some man in your own station in life, a good and honorable gentleman, whom you will select yourself, when you love him.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

It's a lovely day, no prospect of rain, and you pride yourself on keeping promises, so be honorable, come and do your duty, and then be at peace for another six months.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The effect of his discourse on the lady too, could not escape her observation, for though she was too honorable to listen, and had even changed her seat, on purpose that she might NOT hear, to one close by the piano forte on which Marianne was playing, she could not keep herself from seeing that Elinor changed colour, attended with agitation, and was too intent on what he said to pursue her employment.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

You have seen me hold a spear since I had strength to lift one, and should know best whether I do not merit a place among this honorable company.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was perfectly open and honorable about Meg, for he told us he loved her, but would earn a comfortable home before he asked her to marry him.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Would it not be well, if but for the lady's sake, to speak them fair and see if we may not come to honorable terms with them?

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But as high spirits and the love of fun were the causes of these pranks, he always managed to save himself by frank confession, honorable atonement, or the irresistible power of persuasion which he possessed in perfection.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Pass word to the men, Aylward, that they unsling their bows, for I have no doubt that there are some very worthy gentlemen yonder who may give us some opportunity for honorable advancement.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“I trust that I am now the prisoner of some honorable knight or gentleman.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)