Honors vs. Honor: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Honors" refers to awards, distinctions, or high academic achievements, while "honor" is a noun signifying respect, esteem, or a moral virtue, and a verb meaning to show respect or reverence.
Key Differences
Honors are recognitions or awards given for excellence in various fields, like academics, military, or arts. Honor is a concept denoting integrity, respect, and adherence to moral and ethical principles.
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Nov 28, 2023
In academic contexts, honors indicate a high level of achievement, like graduating with honors. As a noun, honor can refer to a person's sense of principled uprightness and as a verb, it means to hold someone in high regard.
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Nov 28, 2023
Honors can be tangible, such as medals, titles, or certificates, acknowledging someone's exceptional performance. Honor, conversely, is intangible, representing an individual's or group's esteem and reputation.
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Honors often involve public recognition and ceremony. Honor, however, can be a private matter, rooted in personal ethics and values.
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The pursuit of honors can drive excellence and achievement. Upholding honor is about maintaining one's moral character and respecting others.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Awards or distinctions for excellence
Respect, esteem, or moral integrity
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Purpose
To acknowledge exceptional performance
To uphold or show moral principles
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Honors and Honor Definitions
Honors
Special distinctions awarded for academic excellence.
She graduated with honors in biology.
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Honor
Adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct.
She acted with honor in reporting the truth.
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Honors
Academic courses or programs for high-achieving students.
He was admitted to the honors program at his university.
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Honor
Privilege or distinction.
It was an honor to meet the renowned author.
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Honors
High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.
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Honor
High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.
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Oct 19, 2023
Honors
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
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Honor
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
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Honors
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
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Honor
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
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Oct 19, 2023
Honors
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
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Honor
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
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Honors
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
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Honor
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
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Honors
Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.
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Honor
Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.
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Honors
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
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Honor
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
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Honors
A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
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Honor
A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
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Honors
Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.
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Honor
Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.
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Honors
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
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Honor
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
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Honors
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
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Honor
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
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Honor
(uncountable) recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful
The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
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Honors
At an excelling level in academics.
I'm taking honors math this year.
Your kid may be an honors student, but you're still an idiot.
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Honor
(uncountable) the state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity
He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
His honor was unstained.
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Honors
Recognitions for outstanding achievements or service.
The soldier received military honors for his bravery.
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Honor
(countable) a token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen
Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.
He wore an honor on his breast.
Military honors; civil honors
Audie Murphy received many honors, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.
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Honors
Titles or awards given for distinguished work.
She was bestowed honors for her contributions to science.
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Honors
Ceremonial rites, especially in a military context.
The veteran was buried with full military honors.
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Honor
(in the plural) the privilege of going first
I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.
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Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.
He is an honour to his nation.
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Honor
(feudal law) a seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended
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Honor
In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit. In some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.
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Honor
(in the plural) (courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank
At university I took honours in modern history.
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Honor
(transitive) to think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of
The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
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Honor
(transitive) to conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like)
I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.
Refuse to honor the test ban treaty
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Honor
(transitive) to confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone)
Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
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Honor
(transitive) to make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.)
I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.
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Honor
Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence.
A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country.
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Honor
That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness.
Godlike erect, with native honor clad.
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Honor
Purity; chastity; - a term applied mostly to women, but becoming uncommon in usage.
If she have forgotHonor and virtue.
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Honor
A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege; integrity; uprightness; trustworthness.
Say, what is honor? 'T is the finest senseOf justice which the human mind can frame,Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim,And guard the way of life from all offenseSuffered or done.
I could not love thee, dear, so much,Loved I not honor more.
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Honor
That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank.
I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor.
Thou art clothed with honor and majesty.
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Honor
Fame; reputation; credit.
Some in their actions do woo, and affect honor and reputation.
If my honor is meant anything distinct from conscience, 't is no more than a regard to the censure and esteem of the world.
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Honor
A token of esteem paid to worth; a mark of respect; a ceremonial sign of consideration; as, he wore an honor on his breast; military honors; civil honors.
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Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation.
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Honor
A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable.
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Honor
A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
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Honor
Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics.
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Honor
The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors.
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Honor
To regard or treat with honor, esteem, or respect; to revere; to treat with deference and submission; when used of the Supreme Being, to reverence; to adore; to worship.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.
It is a customMore honor'd in the breach than the observance.
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Honor
To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to bestow honor upon; to elevate in rank or station; to ennoble; to exalt; to glorify; hence, to do something to honor; to treat in a complimentary manner or with civility.
Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighten to honor.
The name of Cassius honors this corruption.
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Honor
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
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Honor
Bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiers
The scout was rewarded for courageus action
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Honor
To regard or treat with admiration and respect.
They honored their parents by hosting a grand anniversary celebration.
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Nov 23, 2023
Honor
A symbol or token of respect.
The plaque was presented in honor of his charitable work.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does one earn honor?
Through integrity, ethical behavior, and upholding principles.
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Can organizations receive honors?
Yes, groups or organizations can be awarded honors.
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Is honors always related to education?
Often, but it can also relate to achievements in various fields.
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What are academic honors?
Distinctions awarded for high scholastic achievement.
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Is it honorable to admit mistakes?
Yes, admitting errors is often seen as an honorable act.
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Does honor imply responsibility?
Often, as it's associated with ethical conduct and integrity.
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Are military honors different from academic ones?
Yes, they are awards for bravery or service in the military.
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Can honor be lost?
Yes, through actions that breach ethical or moral standards.
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Is honor subjective?
Yes, it can vary based on personal or cultural values.
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Can honors be revoked?
In some cases, yes, if the recipient later disgraces themselves.
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What's the highest academic honor?
This varies by institution but can include summa cum laude or valedictorian.
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How are honors conferred?
Through ceremonies, certificates, or public acknowledgment.
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How do cultures differ in their view of honor?
Different cultures have varying views on what constitutes honor.
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Do honors always involve a ceremony?
Not always, but many do include some form of ceremonial recognition.
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How is honor shown in daily life?
Through actions that reflect integrity, respect, and adherence to ethical standards.
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Can anyone receive honors?
Typically, honors are given to those who achieve excellence in their field.
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What's the role of honor in society?
It promotes integrity and ethical standards in behavior.
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Can a person bestow honor upon themselves?
Typically, honor is given by others as a recognition of one's actions or character.
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Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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