Honorary

adj.joyful, thoughtfulprofessional

What it means

Conferred as an honor without the usual duties, powers, payment, or qualifications of the role.

Reach for it when describing a distinction while stating which normal functions do not apply

The university appointed the poet an honorary fellow with no governance duties.

professional
ceremonial
the role symbolizes recognition but carries no operating authority
not when Ceremonial can involve required duties and need not honor a particular person.
professional
emeritus
a retired officeholder retains a title in recognition of service
not when Emeritus normally follows prior substantive service and is not a general honorary appointment.
formal
honorific
a title or designation expresses respect
not when Honorific usually describes the title itself, not membership, a degree, or an unpaid office.
formal
nominal
the role exists in name more than function
not when Nominal can sound dismissive and does not communicate honor.
formal
titular
someone holds the title without its substantive power
not when Titular can imply nominal leadership rather than appreciative recognition.
literary
ad honorem
formal Latin wording suits an institution's established usage
not when The phrase is obscure, and in some contexts it emphasizes unpaid service rather than distinction.

honorary degree
The honorary degree recognized public scholarship without claiming completion of the program.
honorary member
The honorary member may attend meetings but has no vote.
honorary title
Her honorary title acknowledges decades of service.
honorary position
The honorary position carries no salary or management authority.

Honorary roles differ in authority, duties, voting rights, pay, and qualification; state those limits rather than relying on the label.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.