A person formally recognized for achievement, service, or distinction.
Reach for it when identifying the recipient of an honor without overstating the reason for it
Each honoree invited a mentor to join the community awards dinner.
| playful | |
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| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
playful
star of the show
Fits when friendly attention should center one celebrated person
Careful The idiom can diminish a serious collective honor.
everyday
celebrant
Fits when the person at the center of a celebration is meant
Careful Celebrant can also mean an officiant and need not have earned recognition.
warm
guest of honor
Fits when ceremonial attention at an event is the main role
Careful A guest of honor may be welcomed without receiving an award.
professional
recipient
Fits when the neutral fact of receiving an award or distinction matters
Careful A recipient can receive anything and carries no inherent praise.
formal
awardee
Fits when an officially named award recipient must be identified precisely
Careful Awardee is bureaucratic and excludes honors without a formal award.
literary
Fits when a prestigious artistic, academic, or civic prize is involved
Careful Laureate is too elevated for routine recognition.
award honoree
The award honoree thanked the maintenance crew by name.
fellow honoree
Each fellow honoree contributed an object to the exhibition.
youngest honoree
The youngest honoree developed a low-cost flood alarm.
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