(BrE) (AmE honorable) adjective
1 deserving respect and admiration:
a long and honourable career in government * They managed an honourable 22 draw. * With a few honourable exceptions, the staff were found to be incompetent.
2 showing high moral standards:
an honourable man
3 allowing sb to keep their good name and the respect of others:
an honourable compromise * They urged her to do the honourable thing and resign. * He received an honourable discharge from the army.
4 (the Honourable) (abbreviation Hon) [onlybeforenoun] (in Britain) a title used by a child of some ranks of the NOBILITY
5 (the / my Honourable...) (abbreviation Hon) [onlybeforenoun] (in Britain), a title used by Members of Parliament when talking about or to another Member during a debate:
If my Honourable Friend would give me a chance to answer,... * Would the Honourable Member agree that...?
6 (abbreviation Hon) a title of respect used by an official of high rank:
the Honorable Alan Simpson, US senator
compareRIGHTHONOURABLE
HELPNOTE Use an, not a, before honourable.
honourably (BrE) (AmE honorably) adverb:
to behave honourably
