online vocabulary.com

Honorific - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

An honorific is a title or term of respect used to address or refer to someone, such as Mr., Dr., or Your Majesty, often indicating their status, profession, or rank.

honorific

/ˌɑnəˈɹɪfɪk/ /ˌɒnəˈɹɪfɪk/

Definition:

A title or term showing respect or esteem for someone's status or position.

Synonyms:

respectful, deferential, reverential, laudatory

Part of Speech:

noun, adjective

Antonyms:

disrespectful, derogatory

Common Collocations:

honorific title, honorific term, honorific language, honorific suffix

Derivatives:

honorifically, honorificness

Usage Tips:

Use "honorific" to describe titles like "Dr." or "Sir" that convey respect in formal contexts.

Common Phrases:

honorific title, honorific speech, honorific address

Etymology:

Derived from Latin "honorificus," combining "honor" (esteem) and "-ficus" (making).

Examples:

  • 1. The king was addressed with an honorific title during the ceremony.
  • 2. She prefers using honorific terms like "Professor" in academic settings.
  • 3. In Japan, "-san" is a common honorific suffix added to names.
  • 4. The diplomat received an honorific award for his contributions to peace.
  • 5. Avoid dropping honorifics when speaking to elders in many cultures.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS