honourable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'honourable' is both correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is deserving of respect and admiration, often due to their moral character or honorable actions. Example: The honourable judge was known for his fair and just rulings, earning the respect and trust of the entire legal community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is nothing to do with Mr Blatter being honourable.

The Economist

But "she took an honourable icon that is seen in sporting venues everywhere and degraded it".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"For you, honourable president, are not an honourable man.

The Guardian

He told parliament on Wednesday: "The honourable president says a man called Jan van Riebeeck arrived here, and that was the start of problems in the country.

The Guardian

He needs to seriously reflect on that – and reflect on whether his actions and attempt to cover them up are consistent with his position as an honourable member of the House of Commons".

The Guardian

"I don't see how anyone couldn't see that it wasn't an absolutely worthwhile, honourable cause," he said.

The Guardian

"I do not think it is the government's role to decide who is honourable".

The Guardian - Opinion

"If you've been found to be corrupt, you should not be able to hold titles like 'the honourable' when clearly you are not and you shouldn't be part of an Order of Australia which is reserved for our very best," he said.

The Guardian

Her conclusion is that many MPs are neither honourable nor friends.

The Guardian

In fact, with the honourable exception of chips, most things do, so don't worry next time you're running late and the moussaka has been sitting around for half an hour – it's how they prefer it in Greece.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While Monkey is sure the honourable member was mostly concerned with the safety of Littlewoods employee pensions and the tax takings at HMRC, it seems unlikely any follow-up to The Four Streets will be getting especially favourable reviews in the Telegraph.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "honourable" to describe individuals or actions that demonstrate exceptional integrity and adherence to ethical principles to add weight and respect to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "honourable" sarcastically or ironically without clear contextual cues, as it can confuse the reader and undermine your intended message. Irony is risky so be sure that the reader gets it!

Linguistic Context

The adjective "honourable" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to denote qualities of respectability, integrity, and ethical conduct. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is commonly used to describe individuals or actions deserving admiration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "honourable" is an adjective used to describe someone or something deserving of respect and admiration, frequently used in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When aiming for precision, consider related phrases like "worthy of respect" or "of high integrity". Remember to avoid sarcastic misuse and note its frequent usage to add weight and respect. With usage supported by authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist, "honourable" remains a strong and appropriate word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical

Focuses on adherence to moral principles and professional standards.

principled

Highlights adherence to a strong set of moral principles.

of high integrity

Highlights the quality of having strong moral principles and being honest.

upright

Stresses moral correctness and honesty in behavior.

worthy of respect

Emphasizes the deserving nature of respect due to admirable qualities.

virtuous

Emphasizes moral excellence and righteousness.

reputable

Indicates having a good reputation and being well-regarded.

estimable

Indicates being worthy of great respect and admiration.

creditable

Focuses on deserving praise or acknowledgment.

laudable

Signifies deserving praise and commendation.

FAQs

How can I use "honourable" in a sentence?

Use "honourable" to describe someone or something deserving of respect, like "The "honourable judge" presided over the case fairly" or "It was an "honourable gesture" to admit the mistake".

What is a more modern alternative to "honourable"?

While "honourable" is still appropriate, you might consider using "respectable", "ethical", or "upstanding" as modern alternatives. The best choice depends on the specific context, and your intended communication goals.

When is it appropriate to use "honourable" as a title?

"Honourable" is often used as a courtesy title for government officials, such as cabinet ministers or members of parliament. For example, "The "honourable member" from Shipley".

What is the difference between "honourable" and "honest"?

"Honest" implies truthfulness and lack of deception, while "honourable" suggests a broader adherence to ethical principles and a commitment to upholding what is right. Someone can be honest without being considered "honourable".