hero

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.

“Hero” is pronounced HEER-roh (/ˈhɪɹ.oʊ/ in IPA).

Here is “hero” used in a sentence: “The firefighter who ran back into the burning building was hailed as a hero.”

Words with a similar meaning to “hero” include the brave, bully, daredevil, good guy, goodie and Hector.

The opposite of “hero” — its antonyms — are antihero, coward and villain.

Depending on how it is used, “hero” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “hero” comes from Latin. From Old French heroes, ultimately from Latin hērōs, borrowed from Greek hḗrōs ("demi-god, hero").

“Hero” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

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.

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.

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.