honorary degree

noun

A university degree given outside standard procedures, usually to people who have had an impact on the development of science, culture, education, etc. This degree can be received even by those not affiliated with the university in any way, and requires no attendance, exams, teaching time, or other prerequisites.

Similar
honoris causa
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Meanings

nounhonorary degree (plural honorary degrees)

plural honorary degrees

  1. A university degree given outside standard procedures, usually to people who have had an impact on the development of science, culture, education, etc. This degree can be received even by those not affiliated with the university in any way, and requires no attendance, exams, teaching time, or other prerequisites.

Synonyms & antonyms

nouna degree conferred to honor the recipient

Similar
honoris causa
Broader
academic degreedegree
Also see
honoris causa

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Translations

Polish stopień honoris causa
  • stopień honoris causahonorary degree
Swahili shahada ya heshima
  • shahada ya heshimahonorary degree
Cite this entry
APA

honorary degree. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/honorary%20degree

MLA

“honorary degree.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/honorary%20degree. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “honorary degree,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/honorary%20degree.

Source: honorary degree on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.