Honorific
adjective
Showing respect to someone, especially someone of higher rank in society, work, or an organization.
In Japan, people use honorific titles when they talk to someone of higher status.
Often appears as...
- honorific titles
- honorific address
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A word or phrase expressing high rank or special respect that is used when talking to or about someone.
The honorific 'sir' is often used in formal communication.
Often appears as...
- honorific title
- honorific in language
Usage tips
Formal
adjective
Showing respect to someone, especially someone of higher rank in society, work, or an organization.
In Japan, people use honorific titles when they talk to someone of higher status.
Often appears as...
- honorific titles
- honorific address
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A word or phrase expressing high rank or special respect that is used when talking to or about someone.
The honorific 'sir' is often used in formal communication.
Often appears as...
- honorific title
- honorific in language
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Importance
The use of honorifics can show deep cultural respect and is essential in some languages like Japanese and Korean.
When addressing a professor in Korea, students use '교수님' as an honorific.
Pro Tip 2/3Formality Level
Honorifics often signal formality and politeness; using them in casual conversations may sound strange.
Use 'Your Honor' for judges in legal settings, not at casual meetings.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Hierarchy
Honorifics are used to acknowledge a person's social status, which could be due to age, job, or experience.
In a company, a junior employee might address a senior colleague using an honorific.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Importance
The use of honorifics can show deep cultural respect and is essential in some languages like Japanese and Korean.
When addressing a professor in Korea, students use '교수님' as an honorific.
Pro Tip 2/3Formality Level
Honorifics often signal formality and politeness; using them in casual conversations may sound strange.
Use 'Your Honor' for judges in legal settings, not at casual meetings.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Hierarchy
Honorifics are used to acknowledge a person's social status, which could be due to age, job, or experience.
In a company, a junior employee might address a senior colleague using an honorific.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Importance
The use of honorifics can show deep cultural respect and is essential in some languages like Japanese and Korean.
When addressing a professor in Korea, students use '교수님' as an honorific.
Pro Tip 2/3Formality Level
Honorifics often signal formality and politeness; using them in casual conversations may sound strange.
Use 'Your Honor' for judges in legal settings, not at casual meetings.
Pro Tip 3/3Social Hierarchy
Honorifics are used to acknowledge a person's social status, which could be due to age, job, or experience.
In a company, a junior employee might address a senior colleague using an honorific.
Compare with
adulatorycommemorativecomplimentaryeulogisticflatterlaudatoryrespectfulreverential
Never forget "Honorific"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
History vs. Augustus -...
That was a religious honorific. And Augustus didn’t seek power for his own sake. As winner of the civil war and commander of the most troops, it was his duty to restore law and order to Rome so that other factions didn’t continue fighting. He didn’t restore the law - he made it subordinate to him! Not true.
Video examples
Mecca PIPE National...
grand parting visit they have all earned an honorific title for the men Hodja for the women pilgrims arrived alone in a current of a million strangers and go home writing a spiritual wave of rebirth
Video examples
History vs. Augustus -...
That was a religious honorific. And Augustus didn’t seek power for his own sake. As winner of the civil war and commander of the most troops, it was his duty to restore law and order to Rome so that other factions didn’t continue fighting. He didn’t restore the law - he made it subordinate to him! Not true.
Video examples
Mecca PIPE National...
grand parting visit they have all earned an honorific title for the men Hodja for the women pilgrims arrived alone in a current of a million strangers and go home writing a spiritual wave of rebirth
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Thom Mayne
American Architect
You might say that when you step inside, you're entering a honorific space, but that's something totally different than experiencing it. And in architecture the experience comes first. That has the deepest effect on us.
Quote examples
Alissa Quart
American Writer
An IPO-mad technology boom made 'selling out' itself into an honorific.
Quote examples
Thom Mayne
American Architect
You might say that when you step inside, you're entering a honorific space, but that's something totally different than experiencing it. And in architecture the experience comes first. That has the deepest effect on us.
Quote examples
Alissa Quart
American Writer
An IPO-mad technology boom made 'selling out' itself into an honorific.
Example 1 of 2
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension