honours list: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “honours list” mean?
An official list, often published annually, of people who are to be awarded honours (such as titles, medals, or membership in orders of chivalry) by the state, typically for public service or achievement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official list, often published annually, of people who are to be awarded honours (such as titles, medals, or membership in orders of chivalry) by the state, typically for public service or achievement.
By extension, can refer to any list recognizing outstanding achievement or merit in a specific field (e.g., an academic honours list).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily a British and Commonwealth term. The US equivalent is typically 'Medal of Honor recipients list' (for military) or 'Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients', but there is no direct, single-term equivalent for the comprehensive, biannual British practice.
Connotations
In the UK, it carries significant cultural and social weight, often sparking public debate about merit and the honours system. In the US, the concept is less central to national culture and lacks the fixed, recurring publication schedule.
Frequency
Very frequent in UK media, especially around New Year and the monarch's official birthday. Rare in general American English, except in coverage of UK events or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “honours list” in a Sentence
[Subject] was named/featured/appeared in the honours list.The honours list includes/contains [recipients].[Recipient] made it onto the honours list.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “honours list” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Several community volunteers were honoured in the latest list.
- The Prime Minister honours citizens for service in the biannual list.
American English
- The President honored the scientists in a ceremony (no direct 'list' equivalent).
adverb
British English
- He was honoured posthumously on the list.
American English
- She was honorably mentioned in the dispatch (military context).
adjective
British English
- She received an honours-list citation.
- It was an honours-list appointment.
American English
- He is an honors-list student (academic context).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, unless referring to an employee receiving a state honour.
Academic
Used in political science, history, or sociology when discussing systems of state recognition and meritocracy.
Everyday
Used in news consumption and discussion about prominent figures receiving knighthoods, CBEs, MBEs, etc.
Technical
Used in the specific context of the UK Cabinet Office's Honours and Appointments Secretariat.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “honours list”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “honours list”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “honours list”
- Using singular 'honour list' (less common but sometimes accepted). Capitalizing incorrectly when not part of a proper title (e.g., 'the honours list' vs. 'the New Year Honours List').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While the term and the specific, regular state ceremony are quintessentially British/Commonwealth, the concept of a list of award recipients exists globally. However, 'honours list' as a fixed phrase strongly evokes the UK system.
A 'roll of honour' specifically lists people who died in service, especially in war, or sometimes those who achieved top academic results. An 'honours list' is for living people receiving state awards for service or achievement.
Yes, metaphorically or by analogy. For example, a university might publish an 'examination honours list' of top students, but this is a secondary, extended usage. The primary meaning remains governmental/state.
In British English, the 'h' is silent: /ˈɒnəz/. In American English, where the spelling would typically be 'honors', it's pronounced /ˈɑːnərz/.
An official list, often published annually, of people who are to be awarded honours (such as titles, medals, or membership in orders of chivalry) by the state, typically for public service or achievement.
Honours list is usually formal, official, journalistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be in the honours (as a state)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a royal HONOUR being bestowed; the LIST is where all those worthy of honour are formally recorded.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL RECOGNITION IS A LISTED INVENTORY; MERIT IS A COMMODITY AWARDED BY THE STATE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key feature of a typical 'honours list'?