If you are writing in English, you may have encountered words that have different spellings in American and British English. For example, do you write honor or honour? Is there a difference in meaning or usage between these two words? In this article, we will explain the difference between honor vs honour, and how to use them correctly in your writing.
What do honor and honour mean?
As a Noun
Honor and honour are two variations of the same word, which can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, honor or honour means respect, esteem, or a code of conduct based on moral values. Some examples of honor or honour as a noun are:
- He received a medal of honor for his bravery in the war.
- She is a woman of great honour and integrity.
- He challenged him to a duel to defend his honor.
- They swore an oath of honour to the king.
As a Verb
As a verb, honor or honour means to show respect, admiration, or recognition to someone or something. Some examples of honor or honour as a verb are:
- We honor our parents by obeying them.
- She was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
- He honored his promise and paid back the debt.
- They honoured the fallen soldiers with a ceremony.
What is the difference between honor and honour?
The only difference lies in spelling – “honor” is American English, while “honour” is British English. Both signify respect or adherence to moral values. Use “honor” for American audiences and “honour” for British audiences, aligning with their respective linguistic conventions.
You can remember to use honour for British audiences since honour is spelled with a U, which is also the first letter of United Kingdom.
How to use Honor vs Honour in Sentences?
Here are some examples of how to use honor and honour in a sentence, depending on the variant of English you are writing in.
American English
- It is an honor to meet you, Mr. President.
- She graduated with honors from Harvard University.
- He was honored as the best teacher of the year.
- The national anthem is played to honor the flag.
British English
- It is an honour to meet you, Mr. President.
- She graduated with honours from Oxford University.
- He was honoured as the best teacher of the year.
- The national anthem is played to honour the flag.
A Table of Honor vs. Honour
To summarize the difference between honor and honour, here is a table of comparison that shows the spelling, pronunciation, and usage of the word in American and British English.
| Variant | Spelling | Pronunciation | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| American English | honor | /ˈɑːnər/ | Use honor when writing for American audiences. |
| British English | honour | /ˈɒnə/ | Use honour when writing for British audiences. |
Conclusion
Honor and honour are two variations of the same word that mean respect, esteem, or a code of conduct. The only difference between them is the spelling: honor is the American English spelling, while honour is the British English spelling. You should use the spelling that matches the variant of English you are writing in. Remember to use honour for British audiences, since it has a U like United Kingdom.
