honorary degree

USAGE SUMMARY

"honorary degree" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
An honorary degree is a degree conferred upon someone as an honor, without requiring them to complete the usual course of study. Example: The university awarded the famous actress an honorary degree in recognition of her philanthropic work and contributions to the performing arts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mr. Moon received an honorary degree.

The New York Times

(Cosby holds an honorary degree from Temple).

The Guardian

Honorary degree from University of Bradford, 1993.

The Guardian - Arts

Now the chancellor at Lowell, Meehan sponsored the honorary degree.

The New York Times

(In 2000, the university gave her an honorary degree).

The New York Times

It is about giving a person an honorary degree".

The Economist

Perhaps that quality alone is worth an honorary degree.

The New Yorker

Tufts University in Massachusetts rescinded Lance Armstrong's honorary degree.

The New York Times - Sports

Boston's city fathers toasted Washington; Harvard bestowed an honorary degree.

The New Yorker

Mr. Lasker has an honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities.

The New Yorker

In 1988, the university awarded him an honorary degree.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a specific "honorary degree", mention the awarding institution to provide context and credibility. For instance, "She received an "honorary degree" from Harvard University."

Common error

Avoid implying that an "honorary degree" equates to the same level of expertise or accomplishment as a degree earned through academic study. Clearly distinguish between the two when discussing someone's credentials.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "honorary degree" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb (e.g., received, awarded, conferred) or as a complement within a sentence. Ludwig showcases its use in various contexts where universities bestow this recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

9%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honorary degree" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies an academic honor bestowed by a university without requiring traditional coursework. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science sources, indicating its relevance across various domains. The phrase is generally neutral to formal in register and serves to recognize significant contributions by individuals, sometimes sparking discussions around the selection criteria or revocations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honoris causa

Latin term denoting an honorary degree; more formal and concise.

doctorate honoris causa

Specifies the type of honorary degree being a doctorate; more precise.

honorary doctorate degree

Reorders the words slightly but maintains the core meaning.

courtesy degree

Implies that the degree is given as a gesture of goodwill.

recognition degree

Highlights the aspect of recognizing someone's achievements.

tribute degree

Suggests the degree is a tribute to the recipient's contributions.

distinguished degree

Emphasizes the prestige associated with the degree and recipient.

celebration degree

Frames the degree as part of a celebration of the recipient's work.

ceremonial degree

Highlights the formal, ceremonial nature of conferring the degree.

special recognition award

Widens the scope to a general award, not strictly a degree.

FAQs

What is the purpose of awarding an "honorary degree"?

An "honorary degree" is awarded to recognize an individual's outstanding contributions to a field or to society, serving as a form of public acknowledgement by the awarding institution.

How does an "honorary degree" differ from a traditional degree?

Unlike traditional degrees that require coursework and examinations, an "honorary degree" is conferred as a mark of honor without such requirements.

Can an "honorary degree" be revoked?

Yes, an "honorary degree" can be revoked by the awarding institution if the recipient's actions or reputation no longer align with the values or standards of the university, like in cases when "Bill Cosby honorary degree" was revoked.

What are some alternatives to saying "honorary degree"?

You can use phrases like "honoris causa" (Latin for 'for the sake of the honor'), "courtesy degree", or "honorary doctorate" if the degree is at the doctoral level.