hero
HEER-roh
Hero (noun) means a person admired for great courage, noble actions, or outstanding achievement. Example: “The firefighter who ran back into the burning building was hailed as a hero.”
noun
1
A person admired for great courage, noble actions, or outstanding achievement.
"The firefighter who ran back into the burning building was hailed as a hero."
"To the kids on the street, the retired boxer was a local hero."
"The lifeguard who saved three swimmers became a hero in our town."
2
The main character in a story, film, or play.
"The hero of the novel spends the whole book searching for his missing brother."
"In the film, the hero finally defeats the dragon and rescues the village."
"The hero of the play is a shy girl who learns to be brave."
3
A large sandwich packed with meats, cheese, and other fillings, also called a sub or hoagie.
"We split a hero from the deli for lunch."
"He ordered a hero stuffed with ham, cheese and lettuce."
"The deli sells a huge hero that is easily enough for two people."
verb
1
To treat someone as a hero, or to give something special prominence and attention.
"The marketing team decided to hero the new flavor on the homepage banner."
"The magazine decided to hero a local baker on its front cover."
"Our designers will hero the new jacket at the top of the page."
How to use hero
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone brave and admirable, or the main character of a story.
Common pairings
a war hero
the hero of the story
a hero sandwich
hero image
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hero.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- heroes, heros
- Third person singular
- heroes, heros
- Past tense
- heroed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The firefighter who ran back into the burning building was hailed as a _____.
Etymology
From Old French heroes, ultimately from Latin hērōs, borrowed from Greek hḗrōs ("demi-god, hero").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for hero
See all rhymes for hero →Frequently asked questions
What does “hero” mean?
The word “hero” means a person admired for great courage, noble actions, or outstanding achievement. In plain terms, someone brave and admirable, or the main character of a story.
How do you pronounce “hero”?
“Hero” is pronounced HEER-roh (/ˈhɪɹ.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hero” in a sentence?
Here is “hero” used in a sentence: “The firefighter who ran back into the burning building was hailed as a hero.”
What is another word for “hero”?
Words with a similar meaning to “hero” include the brave, bully, daredevil, good guy, goodie and Hector.
What is the opposite of “hero”?
The opposite of “hero” — its antonyms — are antihero, coward and villain.
What part of speech is “hero”?
Depending on how it is used, “hero” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “hero” come from?
The word “hero” comes from Latin. From Old French heroes, ultimately from Latin hērōs, borrowed from Greek hḗrōs ("demi-god, hero").
Is “hero” a common word?
“Hero” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a hero and a role model?
A hero is admired for exceptional courage, noble deeds, or great achievement, often shown in a single dramatic act like saving a life. A role model is someone whose everyday behavior others choose to imitate. Heroes inspire awe; role models guide conduct. A person can be both, but the emphasis differs.
What are the different types of heroes?
The word covers many kinds. A war hero shows courage in battle; an everyday hero, like a firefighter or a bystander who steps in, acts bravely in ordinary life. A superhero has fictional powers, while a tragic hero is a flawed protagonist whose downfall drives a story. All share admiration for their qualities.
What is the opposite of a hero?
It depends on which quality you contrast. A villain is the moral opposite — someone who does harm rather than good. A coward is the opposite in courage, fleeing danger instead of facing it. In storytelling, the antagonist opposes the hero. "Villain" is the most common answer in everyday use.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include hero:
