Mention vs. Honor: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 22, 2024
Mention refers to a brief reference to something, while honor signifies high respect or esteem for someone or something.
Key Differences
Mention involves making a brief reference to something or someone in conversation or text. It is typically casual and can be as simple as a passing note. For instance, you might mention a book you recently read during a discussion. Honor, on the other hand, is about showing deep respect and admiration. It implies a higher level of recognition and is often formal. Honoring someone might involve giving them an award or holding a ceremony in their name, acknowledging their significant contributions or virtues.
When you mention someone, it is generally for the purpose of bringing them into the conversation without necessarily emphasizing their importance. This is common in everyday communication and documentation. In contrast, honoring someone usually signifies acknowledging their importance or achievements. This could be seen in official settings like award ceremonies, military services, or public recognitions, reflecting a societal or organizational appreciation.
Mention can occur frequently and in various contexts, such as speeches, writings, or casual conversations. It doesn’t require a significant reason or event. Honor, however, is often reserved for special occasions or significant reasons. It is associated with formal events and gestures that convey deep respect and admiration.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Brief reference to something
High respect or esteem for someone/something
Formality
Generally informal
Generally formal
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Frequency
Occurs frequently in conversation
Reserved for special occasions
Purpose
To bring into conversation
To show deep respect or admiration
Context
Casual or formal
Mostly formal
Mention and Honor Definitions
Mention
To refer to something briefly.
She mentioned the meeting in passing.
Honor
To adhere to an agreement.
We must honor our commitments.
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Mention
To bring up a topic casually.
Did you mention this to the manager?
Honor
To recognize officially.
The city honored its founding members.
Mention
To cite or refer to briefly.
The report mentioned the need for improvements.
Honor
To regard with great respect.
He honored his parents' wishes.
Mention
To name someone or something in speech or text.
He mentioned his friend during the interview.
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.
Mention
To speak or write about, especially briefly or incidentally
I mentioned your idea during the conversation. She mentioned that she was going to be five minutes late.
Honor
Great privilege
I have the honor of presenting the governor.
Mention
The act or an instance of mentioning something
He made no mention of the incident in his report. There was a mention of the play in the local newspaper.
Honor
Good name; reputation
I must defend my honor.
Mention
A statement or citation of honor or appreciation
Sponsors were given a special mention during the opening ceremony.
Honor
A source or cause of credit
Was an honor to the profession.
Mention
A speaking or notice of anything, usually in a brief or cursory manner. Used especially in the phrase make mention of.
Honor
A mark, token, or gesture of respect or distinction, such as a military decoration.
Mention
A social media feed, a list of replies or posts mentioning a person.
Honor
Public acts or ceremonies showing respect
Was buried with full honors.
Mention
To make a short reference to something.
Honor
Special recognition for unusual academic achievement
Graduated with honors.
Mention
To utter a word or expression in order to refer to the expression itself, as opposed to its usual referent.
Honor
A program of advanced study for exceptional students
Planned to take honors in history.
Mention
A speaking or notice of anything, - usually in a brief or cursory manner. Used especially in the phrase to make mention of.
I will make mention of thy righteousness.
And sleep in dull, cold marble, where no mentionOf me more must be heard of.
Honor
Social courtesies offered to guests
Did the honors at tea.
Mention
To make mention of; to speak briefly of; to name.
I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the Lord.
Honor
High rank
Assumed the honor of kingship.
Mention
A remark that calls attention to something or someone;
She made frequent mention of her promotion
There was no mention of it
The speaker made several references to his wife
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.
Mention
A short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage;
The student's essay failed to list several important citations
The acknowledgments are usually printed at the front of a book
The article includes mention of similar clinical cases
Honor
A sense of principled uprightness of character; personal integrity
Conducted herself with honor.
Saw the challenge as a matter of honor.
Mention
An official recognition of merit;
Although he didn't win the prize he did get special mention
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.
Mention
Make reference to;
His name was mentioned in connection with the invention
Honor
A woman's chastity or reputation for chastity.
Mention
Make mention of;
She observed that his presentation took up too much time
They noted that it was a fine day to go sailing
Honor
(Sports) The right of being first at the tee in golf.
Mention
Commend;
He was cited for his outstanding achievements
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.
Mention
To acknowledge briefly.
The article mentioned several key points.
Honor
Often honors The points allotted to these cards.
Honor
To hold in respect; esteem
A researcher who is highly honored for her work.
Honor
To show respect for
Honored the volunteers with a party.
Honor
To confer distinction on
He has honored us with his presence.
Honor
To bow to (another dancer) in square dancing
Honor your partner.
Honor
To accept or pay as valid
Honor a check.
A store that honors all credit cards.
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.
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
(countable) a token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen
Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.
He wore an honor on his breast.
Military honors; civil honors
Audie Murphy received many honors, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.
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 token of esteem paid to worth; a mark of respect; a ceremonial sign of consideration; as, he wore an honor on his breast; military honors; civil honors.
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
Honor
To show respect and admiration.
They honored the veteran at the ceremony.
Honor
To confer distinction upon someone.
She was honored with an award.
FAQs
What does it mean to mention something?
To mention something means to refer to it briefly in conversation or text.
What are common ways to honor someone?
Common ways include awards, ceremonies, or public acknowledgments.
Can you honor an event?
Yes, you can honor an event by commemorating it in a special way.
Does mention always imply importance?
No, a mention does not necessarily imply importance.
What is an example of honoring a promise?
Honoring a promise means fulfilling it faithfully.
Can mentioning be formal?
Yes, mentioning can occur in formal contexts, though it is often informal.
What is a casual mention?
A casual mention is an informal reference to something.
Can mention be synonymous with acknowledge?
Yes, to some extent, mentioning can mean acknowledging briefly.
How is honor different from mention?
Honor involves showing deep respect, while mention is a brief reference.
Is honor always formal?
Typically, honor is used in formal contexts to show respect or admiration.
How might you honor a guest?
By showing special respect or hosting a ceremony.
Can you mention something without details?
Yes, mentioning often involves brief references without details.
What does it mean to honor a contract?
It means to fulfill the terms and obligations of a contract.
Is it possible to honor something casually?
Honor is typically more formal, but casual respects can also be shown.
Can mention be used in written text?
Yes, mentioning can be part of written communication.
What does it mean to honor an invitation?
It means to accept and attend the event as invited.
When might you use mention instead of honor?
When you want to refer to something without a formal context.
How is honoring different in cultural contexts?
Honoring practices can vary widely across different cultures.
What does it mean to honor someone's memory?
It means to remember and show respect for someone who has passed away.
What is a notable mention?
A notable mention highlights someone or something important.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
