It’s an honorary. The rule for choosing between “a” and “an” is based on the pronunciation of the word that follows, and not on how it is spelled.
It’s an honorary. The rule for choosing between a and an is based on the pronunciation of the word that follows, and not on how it's spelled. Since “honorary” begins with a silent “h”, we use the article “an”.
The artist was given an honorary degree from the university.
The artist was given a honorary degree from the university.
More examples:
It’s an honorary title, which may be given for distinguished service to the profession.
She has been elected an honorary member of the Pharmaceutical Society of France.
Other words that also start with a silent "h", and therefore take the article "a", are listed below.
- an heir
- an heiress
- an heirloom
- an herb (American English)
- an herbal (American English)
- an honest
- an honor
- an honorable
- an honorarium
- an hour
- an hourly
- an hourglass
