honors
honors Lexical Profile
honors Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American Special distinction, recognition, or credit awarded to a student for superior academic achievement in a school, college, or university.
"He graduated with highest honors from the engineering program."
American Public awards, titles, decorations, or ceremonial acts of respect conferred upon a person in recognition of merit or achievement.
"The retired diplomat received numerous national honors for her decades of public service."
American Social courtesies or duties performed by a host on a ceremonial or social occasion (especially in the phrase 'do the honors').
"When the anniversary cake was brought to the table, they asked the eldest grandchild to do the honors and cut the first slice."
• adjective
American Designating or relating to an advanced academic course, program, or class designed for exceptionally capable or high-achieving students.
"She enrolled in three honors classes during her junior year of high school."
• verb
American To regard or treat someone or something with high respect, esteem, or public recognition (third-person singular present form of 'honor').
"The annual festival honors the cultural heritage of the town's early founders."
American To fulfill an obligation, keep an agreement, or accept a financial instrument or voucher as valid (third-person singular present form of 'honor').
"The store honors all coupons and gift cards issued by its sister locations."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled 'honors' in American English and 'honours' in British and Commonwealth English. When used attributively before a noun in educational contexts (e.g., 'an honors student'), it functions as an adjective denoting an advanced academic curriculum.
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'honour', borrowed from Anglo-Norman and Old French 'honour', which came from Latin 'honos' or 'honor', meaning 'esteem, dignity, or public office'.