honorable
/oh-noh-RAH-bleh/
honorable
When someone is honorable, they are worthy of respect.
honorable(adjective)
honorable
?worthy of respect
,respectable
?morally upright
upstanding
?person
,ethical
?conduct or decision
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo siempre fue un hombre honorable en su comunidad.
B1My grandfather was always an honorable man in his community.
Tomaron la decisión más honorable, aunque fuera la más difícil.
B2They made the most honorable decision, even if it was the most difficult one.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Ending
Since 'honorable' ends in -e, it is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'hombre honorable' and 'mujer honorable').
❌ Common Pitfalls
False Cognate Misuse
Mistake: "Using 'honorable' to mean 'honorary' (like an honorary degree)."
Correction: Use 'honorario' for things like degrees or positions given as an honor, not 'honorable'. 'Honorable' means 'worthy of respect'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Strong Compliment
Using 'honorable' is a strong way to praise someone's character or moral integrity.
The word honorable is often used as a formal title prefix, such as "The Honorable Judge."
honorable(adjective)
Honorable
?used before a title (e.g., Judge, Senator)
The Honorable
?formal address
📝 In Action
La sesión fue presidida por el Honorable Juez de la Corte Suprema.
C1The session was chaired by the Honorable Supreme Court Judge.
Espero que la Honorable Cámara de Diputados apruebe la ley.
C2I hope the Honorable Chamber of Deputies approves the law.
💡 Grammar Points
Capitalization in Titles
When used formally as part of a title, 'Honorable' is often capitalized in Spanish, just as in English.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
Only use this meaning in very formal written or spoken contexts, usually related to government, law, or high office.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: honorable
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'honorable' in its most formal, titular sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'honorable' change depending on who I'm talking about?
Only for number, not gender. You use 'honorable' for both men and women ('el hombre honorable,' 'la mujer honorable'). But if you are talking about multiple people, you must add an -s: 'los jueces honorables' (the honorable judges).
Is 'honorable' common in everyday speech?
While everyone understands it, it sounds slightly more formal than simply saying someone is 'good' or 'respectable.' It is most often used in writing or when discussing serious moral actions.