Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “honor” come from?

Honor comes from Anglo-Norman honour, which is the source of the Middle English honour that developed into the modern English word.

honor (English): recognition of importance or value; respect;...

Definitions

  1. recognition of importance or value; respect;...

Ancestry of “honor”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishhonourhonour
2Anglo-NormanhonourLate Anglo-Norman spelling of honur
3Old Frenchhonorhonor; honour
4Latinhonorhonor, esteem, dignity, reputation, office
5Old LatinhonosAlternative form of honor

Words derived from “honor”

  • honorary
  • honoree
  • honorer
  • honorability
  • honorless
  • honorarily
  • unhonor
  • rehonor
  • ona
Every word from Old Latin honos →