honorific

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "honorific" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that is used to describe a title or an expression of respect. For example, you might say, "The Queen is given the honorific title of Her Royal Majesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While he has dismantled Niyazov's personality cult, he has maintained an authoritarian leadership style and has adopted the honorific title of arkadag – protector.

The Guardian

In ancient Rome, where curatores and procurates were charged with the care (cura) of public works or minors or the mentally disabled or foreign territories, the title was largely honorific, a means of promotion.

The Guardian - Books

In the morning, Mansour promoted him to the honorific title of Field Marshal – a move that often foreshadows an Egyptian officer's resignation from the military.

The Guardian

NatWest, which is part of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS Groupp, agreed to change her name, but refused to change her title, saying she could remain as "Mr" or change to "Mx (also known as 'Ms')" but could not have her preferred honorific – "Ms" – unless she presented a gender recognition certificate (GRC).

The Guardian

Even outside the pantomime season, or possibly because of the pantomime season, no honour, out of the blizzard of honorific acronyms and archaisms that surges bianually out of Buckingham Palace, is cherished like that of dame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov accepted a new honorific title, the "People's Horse Breeder", on Sunday at celebrations for the Day of the Horse in the isolated Central Asian country.

The Guardian

At German universities students and lecturers use the polite "Sie" form, never daring to omit the honorific(s).

The Guardian

Sir Martin Rees, England's Astronomer Royal (these days an honorific title; Sir Martin is also a professor at Cambridge University), has become embroiled in a controversy that raises questions about the way that scientific papers are published.In the olden days, a group of researchers would bang out their paper on paper.

The Economist

In 1912 in America, Christine Frederick argued in "The New Housekeeping" for servants to get overtime and bonuses for mastering new tasks—and to be granted the respect of an honorific.

The Economist

He says it with affection, an honorific won from my ability to make his phone read his e-mail.

The Economist

NATE SILVER (who, our style book says, should be granted his honorific, "statistical wunderkind") made headlines recently when it was announced that he was taking his powerful brand to ESPN, leaving behind a New York Times website that enjoyed enormous traffic on the back of Mr Silver's 2012 election-season number-crunching.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "honorific", ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a title or expression of respect. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific examples or explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "honorific" to describe general compliments or praise. It specifically refers to titles or formal expressions of respect, not casual accolades.

Linguistic Context

The word "honorific" functions as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes something that confers honor or respect. As a noun, it refers to a title or term used to show respect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honorific" is a versatile term, functioning as both an adjective and a noun, primarily used to convey respect or deference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in English. Its usage spans across various formal and neutral contexts, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. To ensure correct usage, remember that "honorific" specifically refers to titles or expressions of respect, rather than general compliments. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and common contexts, you can effectively incorporate "honorific" into your writing to show appropriate respect and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Title of respect

Focuses specifically on the respectful nature of the title.

Formal title

Highlights the formality associated with the title.

Courtesy title

Emphasizes the politeness conveyed by the title.

Respectful address

Shifts the focus to the act of addressing someone with respect.

Term of deference

Uses a more formal word for respect.

Esteemed title

Highlights the high regard associated with the title.

Reverential title

Implies a deep respect or reverence.

Ceremonial title

Refers to titles given because of tradition or practice.

Official designation

Indicates a title that is bestowed in formal contexts.

Appellation of honor

Uses a more formal and elaborate way to describe an honorific.

FAQs

How to use "honorific" in a sentence?

You can use "honorific" to describe a title or a form of address that conveys respect, such as "The title 'Doctor' is an "honorific title"" or "In Japan, there are many "honorific suffixes" used to show respect".

What are some examples of common honorifics?

Examples of common honorifics include "Mr.", "Ms.", "Dr.", "Professor", "Sir", and "Madam". These titles are used to show respect when addressing someone.

What's the difference between a title and an "honorific"?

While all honorifics are titles, not all titles are honorifics. A title can simply denote a position or role, whereas an "honorific" specifically conveys respect or esteem.

Is it always necessary to use honorifics?

The necessity of using honorifics depends on cultural context and the relationship between the speakers. In some cultures, omitting honorifics can be seen as disrespectful, while in others, it may be less important.