honor means on one's honor; truthfully. It carries an Arena rating of 1521, earned across 2 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, honor ranks #2,678 of 14,410 for Most Ponderous Words, #7,082 of 14,423 for Most Sublime Words, #7,100 of 14,440 for Most Satisfying to Say, #7,127 of 14,431 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound.
honor is pronounced /ˈɒn.ə/.
Why “honor” is a great word
A quality of moral excellence and integrity that earns respect and recognition. From Middle English *honour*, from Anglo-Norman *honour*, from Old French *honor*, from Latin *honor*, *honos* (“honor, esteem, public office”); the verb derives from Middle English *honouren*; first attested in English c. 1200. Unlike “glory,” which emphasizes public acclaim and radiant splendor achieved through great deeds, or “chivalry,” which denotes the medieval knightly system with its code of gallantry, honor is the broader, universal bedrock of ethical principle rooted in inner integrity. It is the unshakable handshake sealed with a look, the silent refusal to accept what is not earned, and the worn stone of a monument that speaks more of sacrifice than of victory—a virtue that exists not in the light it catches, but in the shadow it casts.
Etymology
From Middle English honour, honor, honur, from Anglo-Norman honour, honur, from Old French honor, from Latin honor.
Displaced Middle English menske (“honor, dignity among men”), from Old Norse menskr (“honor”).
The verb is from Middle English honouren, honuren (“to honor”).
intj
- On one's honor; truthfully.““Not a ha’porth. Different gangs and different ships. He was tried again for prison breaking, and got made a Lifer.”
“And was that—Honour!—the only time you worked out, in this part of the country?”
“The only time.””
noun
- Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful).“The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.”
- The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity.“He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.”
- A token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen.“Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.”
- A privilege (which honors the person experiencing it).“I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.”
- The privilege of going first.“I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.”
- The privilege of going first.; The right to play one's ball before one's opponent.
- A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.“He is an honour to his nation.”
- A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.“The lorde of the honour or manour”
- The center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon (compare honour point).
- In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit; in some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.
- In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit; in some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.; a dragon or wind tile.
- (Courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank.“At university I took honours in modern history.”
verb
- To think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of.“The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.”
- To conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like).“I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.”
- To confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone).“Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.”
- To make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.).“I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.”
name
- A female given name from English.“They had named the baby Honor because Eugenie had been moved by Honoré de Balzac's Le Père Goriot in her French class.”
- A surname.
- Former name of Honnavar (“Indian town”).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- esteem 87% match — Assessment, estimation, or regard; especially; favourable estimation or regard. vs honor →
- merit 86% match — A claim to commendation or a reward. vs honor →
- renown 86% match — Fame; celebrity; wide recognition. vs honor →
- virtue 85% match — (uncountable) The idea of all that is good or excellent (in every sense of those terms) in a human being, collectively instantiated by a varying number of human traits known as "the virtues", the enumeration of which vary by the many virtue systems which have developed within different cultures, religions, and historical periods. vs honor →
- integrity 85% match — Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. vs honor →
- prestige 85% match — The quality of how good the reputation of something or someone is, how favourably something or someone is regarded. vs honor →
- accolade 84% match — An expression of approval; praise. vs honor →
- venerate 84% match — To treat with great respect and deference. vs honor →