birthday honours: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, institutional, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “birthday honours” mean?
A list of British citizens awarded state honours (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A list of British citizens awarded state honours (e.g., OBE, MBE) by the monarch on the occasion of their official birthday.
The system and ceremony of awarding various British honours for public service, civilian achievement, or bravery, announced on the monarch's official birthday. By extension, can refer to similar award lists in other Commonwealth realms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is an almost exclusively British and Commonwealth cultural and political institution. The term is rarely used or understood in American English, which has no direct equivalent system.
Connotations
In the UK: formal recognition, national prestige, establishment tradition, sometimes controversy over recipients. In the US: unfamiliar, perceived as a British class/crown institution.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK media and formal discourse around the monarch's birthday; negligible in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “birthday honours” in a Sentence
[Recipient] was recognised in the Birthday Honours.The [Position/Title] published the Birthday Honours list.[Name] received an [OBE/MBE] in the Birthday Honours.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “birthday honours” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was honoured in the Birthday Honours.
- She will be honoured for her services to music.
American English
- (Rarely used; might say) She was given a presidential medal of freedom, which is somewhat analogous.
adverb
British English
- (Not typically used adverbially)
American English
- (Not applicable)
adjective
British English
- The Birthday Honours list is always eagerly anticipated.
- It's a Birthday Honours tradition.
American English
- (Not applicable)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
May be mentioned in corporate news if a business leader receives an honour.
Academic
Studied in politics, history, or sociology courses on British institutions and honours systems.
Everyday
Discussed in news media; general public may check the list for familiar names.
Technical
Used precisely in constitutional, ceremonial, and protocol contexts within the UK government and royal household.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “birthday honours”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “birthday honours”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “birthday honours”
- Using lowercase ('birthday honours' instead of 'Birthday Honours' in UK context).
- Treating 'honours' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a birthday honour').
- Confusing with 'New Year Honours' (the other main list).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in British English it is treated as a proper noun and is capitalised: 'the Birthday Honours' or 'the King's Birthday Honours'.
Both are lists of state awards. The 'New Year Honours' are announced on January 1st, while the 'Birthday Honours' are announced on the monarch's official birthday (usually a Saturday in June).
Yes, foreign nationals can receive honorary awards for their service to the UK or its international interests, though they are not entitled to use styles like 'Sir' or 'Dame'.
OBE stands for 'Officer of the Order of the British Empire'. It is one of the ranks within the British honours system, below CBE (Commander) and above MBE (Member).
A list of British citizens awarded state honours (e.
Birthday honours is usually formal, institutional, journalistic in register.
Birthday honours: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɜːθ.deɪ ˈɒn.əz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɝːθ.deɪ ˈɑː.nɚz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be 'in the honours' (informal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a royal birthday present given to the nation: a list of people being honoured.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE STATE IS A PATRON (giving gifts of titles on a special day).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for the term 'Birthday Honours'?