Honor vs. Award — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
Honor is a recognition of one's character or achievements, often intangible and esteem-based, while an award is a tangible recognition given for specific accomplishments or merits.
Difference Between Honor and Award
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Key Differences
Honor refers to the respect and admiration one earns through their actions, character, or achievements, encompassing a broader and often more personal recognition. On the other hand, an award is a physical or formal acknowledgment granted to individuals or groups for specific achievements, typically in professional, academic, or competitive contexts.
Honor is generally intangible and intrinsic, linked closely with one's dignity, integrity, or standing within a community. Whereas, awards are concrete, often represented by trophies, certificates, medals, or titles, and are given as a result of meeting or surpassing certain criteria.
The concept of honor can be subjective and culturally defined, influenced by societal values and personal perceptions of morality and ethics. In contrast, awards usually follow objective criteria or standards set by the awarding body, making them quantifiable and comparable.
Honor is something that can last a lifetime and is not necessarily awarded by an institution but recognized by peers and society. Awards, however, are typically conferred during specific occasions or ceremonies and are limited to particular fields or activities.
One can receive honors in various forms, such as public acknowledgment, a revered reputation, or high esteem among peers. Awards, conversely, are specific in nature, with recipients often selected through competitions, nominations, or assessments by panels or committees.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Intangible, intrinsic
Tangible, extrinsic
Recognition of
Character, ethics, personal achievements
Specific achievements, performance
Form
Respect, admiration, esteem
Trophies, certificates, medals, titles
Criteria
Subjective, culturally and morally defined
Objective, clearly defined, quantifiable
Duration
Can be lifelong
Often event-specific, with possible long-term recognition
Compare with Definitions
Honor
Esteem received in recognition of one's integrity or achievements.
He was given the highest honor for his lifelong commitment to justice.
Award
A result of a decision by a judge or body at a competition.
The film won several awards at the international festival.
Honor
Recognition without material reward, based on virtue.
The community held her in high honor for her charitable work.
Award
Acknowledgment given to stimulate competition or improvement.
The annual awards for innovation inspire great creativity.
Honor
Respectful acknowledgment of one's ethical standards.
She upheld her family's honor through her actions.
Award
A monetary grant given for support or stimulation in a field.
He received a research award from the foundation.
Honor
A quality of knowing and doing what is morally right.
His honor prevented him from deceiving his colleagues.
Award
An item or certificate granted as recognition of excellence.
The award was displayed proudly in his office.
Honor
A title or distinction conferred by a university, club, or other body.
He accepted the honor of chairman at the meeting.
Award
A prize or other mark of recognition given in honor of an achievement.
She received an award for best actress in a leading role.
Honor
High respect, as that shown for special merit; recognition or esteem
The honor shown to a Nobel laureate.
The place of honor at the table.
Award
An award, sometimes called a distinction, is something given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration.
Honor
Great privilege
I have the honor of presenting the governor.
Award
To grant as merited or due
Awarded prizes to the winners.
Honor
Good name; reputation
I must defend my honor.
Award
To grant an amount or other benefit legally due
Awarded damages to the plaintiff.
Honor
A source or cause of credit
Was an honor to the profession.
Award
Something awarded or granted, as for merit.
Honor
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
Award
An amount or other benefit granted as legally due.
Honor
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
Award
(legal) A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
Honor
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
Award
(legal) The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Honor
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
Award
A trophy or medal; something that denotes an accomplishment, especially in a competition. A prize or honor based on merit.
Honor
Social courtesies offered to guests
Did the honors at tea.
Award
A negotiated minimum wage that is set for a particular trade or industry; an industrial award.
Honor
High rank
Assumed the honor of kingship.
Award
(intransitive) To determine; to make or grant an award.
Honor
Honor Used with His, Her, or Your as a title and form of address for certain officials, such as judges and the mayors of certain cities
Her Honor, Judge Jones.
Award
(transitive) To give (an award).
Four or five of these medals are awarded every year.
Honor
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
Award
(transitive) To give (a person) an award.
He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Honor
A code of integrity, dignity, and pride, chiefly among men, that was maintained in some societies, as in feudal Europe, by force of arms.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case.
The arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant
Honor
A woman's chastity or reputation for chastity.
Award
To give by sentence or judicial determination; to assign or apportion, after careful regard to the nature of the case; to adjudge; as, the arbitrators awarded damages to the complainant.
To reviewThe wrongful sentence, and award a new.
Honor
(Sports) The right of being first at the tee in golf.
Award
To determine; to make an award.
Honor
Any of the four or five highest cards, especially the ace, king, queen, jack, and ten of the trump suit, in card games such as bridge or whist.
Award
A judgment, sentence, or final decision. Specifically: The decision of arbitrators in a case submitted.
An award had been given against.
Honor
Often honors The points allotted to these cards.
Award
The paper containing the decision of arbitrators; that which is warded.
Honor
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
Award
A grant made by a law court;
He criticized the awarding of compensation by the court
Honor
To show respect for
Honored the volunteers with a party.
Award
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Honor
To confer distinction on
He has honored us with his presence.
Award
Something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery;
The prize was a free trip to Europe
Honor
To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing
Honor your partner.
Award
Give, especially as a reward;
Bestow honors and prizes at graduation
Honor
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
Award
Give on the basis of merit;
Funds are granted to qualified researchers
Honor
(uncountable) recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful
The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
Award
Bestow an honor upon
Honor
(uncountable) the state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity
He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
His honor was unstained.
Honor
A privilege
I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
Honor
(in the plural) the privilege of going first
I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead.
Honor
(golf) the right to play one's ball before one's opponent.
Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament.
He is an honour to his nation.
Honor
(feudal law) a seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended
Honor
In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit. In some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.
Honor
(in the plural) (courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank
At university I took honours in modern history.
Honor
(transitive) to think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of
The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
Honor
(transitive) to conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like)
I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.
Refuse to honor the test ban treaty
Honor
(transitive) to confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone)
Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
Honor
(transitive) to make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.)
I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.
Honor
Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence; veneration; manifestation of respect or reverence.
A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country.
Honor
That which rightfully attracts esteem, respect, or consideration; self-respect; dignity; courage; fidelity; especially, excellence of character; high moral worth; virtue; nobleness.
Godlike erect, with native honor clad.
Honor
Purity; chastity; - a term applied mostly to women, but becoming uncommon in usage.
If she have forgotHonor and virtue.
Honor
A nice sense of what is right, just, and true, with course of life correspondent thereto; strict conformity to the duty imposed by conscience, position, or privilege; integrity; uprightness; trustworthness.
Say, what is honor? 'T is the finest senseOf justice which the human mind can frame,Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim,And guard the way of life from all offenseSuffered or done.
I could not love thee, dear, so much,Loved I not honor more.
Honor
That to which esteem or consideration is paid; distinguished position; high rank.
I have given thee . . . both riches, and honor.
Thou art clothed with honor and majesty.
Honor
Fame; reputation; credit.
Some in their actions do woo, and affect honor and reputation.
If my honor is meant anything distinct from conscience, 't is no more than a regard to the censure and esteem of the world.
Honor
A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament; as, he is an honor to his nation.
Honor
A title applied to the holders of certain honorable civil offices, or to persons of rank; as, His Honor the Mayor. See Note under Honorable.
Honor
A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended.
Honor
Academic or university prizes or distinctions; as, honors in classics.
Honor
The ace, king, queen, and jack of trumps. The ten and nine are sometimes called Dutch honors.
Honor
To regard or treat with honor, esteem, or respect; to revere; to treat with deference and submission; when used of the Supreme Being, to reverence; to adore; to worship.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.
It is a customMore honor'd in the breach than the observance.
Honor
To dignify; to raise to distinction or notice; to bestow honor upon; to elevate in rank or station; to ennoble; to exalt; to glorify; hence, to do something to honor; to treat in a complimentary manner or with civility.
Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighten to honor.
The name of Cassius honors this corruption.
Honor
To accept and pay when due; as, to honora bill of exchange.
Honor
A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction;
An award for bravery
Honor
The state of being honored
Honor
The quality of being honorable and having a good name;
A man of honor
Honor
A woman's virtue or chastity
Honor
Bestow honor or rewards upon;
Today we honor our soldiers
The scout was rewarded for courageus action
Honor
Show respect towards;
Honor your parents!
Honor
Accept as pay;
We honor checks and drafts
Common Curiosities
What is the primary difference between an honor and an award?
Honor is an esteem-based, often intangible recognition, whereas an award is a tangible acknowledgment given for specific achievements.
Can an award also be considered an honor?
Yes, receiving an award can be considered an honor, but not all honors involve awards.
How do institutions decide on giving awards?
Institutions use specific criteria, such as performance or achievement, judged by a panel or through competitive processes.
What are common forms of awards?
Trophies, certificates, medals, and monetary prizes.
Why do organizations provide awards?
To recognize, motivate, and publicize exceptional achievements, and to stimulate competition or improvement in a field.
What are examples of honors that are not awards?
Being respected or admired for one's moral conduct or enduring commitment to a community.
What is required to maintain an honor?
Continual demonstration of qualities or achievements that originally earned the honor.
Is an honor always linked to ethical or moral qualities?
Often, yes, as honor is closely associated with one's character and actions reflecting integrity and morality.
Are awards given posthumously?
Yes, awards can be and often are given posthumously, recognizing a person’s achievements or contributions after their death.
How do cultural differences impact the perception of honor?
Cultural values significantly influence what is considered honorable, varying widely between societies.
Can a person lose an award?
Physically, no, but the prestige associated with it can be diminished by subsequent actions of the recipient.
What role does subjectivity play in assigning honors?
Subjectivity is central, as honor is often based on personal and cultural perceptions of morality and achievement.
Can anyone grant an honor?
While specific honors (like titles) must be granted by recognized bodies, general social honor can be accorded by peers or the public.
What makes an honor a prestigious recognition?
The esteem it conveys from peers and the broader community, reflecting a person’s admirable qualities or contributions.
What is the significance of lifetime achievement awards?
They recognize the enduring contributions and impact of an individual’s work over their entire career, often serving as a culminating honor.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
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Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
