hero
hero
Pronunciation
hero: /ˈhɪəroʊ/ or /ˈhiːroʊ/
He-: /hɪə/ or /hiː/ (as in "here" or "hee")
-ro: /roʊ/ (as in "row")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: hero
Plural Noun: heroes
Feminine Noun: heroine (less common, but still a variation)
Adjective: heroic
Adverb: heroically
Noun (state of being): heroism
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A person, often of mythological or legendary origin, who is admired for great achievements or noble qualities, and is often regarded as an ideal or model.
Synonyms: champion, paragon, idol, legend, exemplar
Antonyms: villain, coward, scoundrel, miscreant
The principal male character in a story, play, film, or other work of fiction.
Synonyms: protagonist, lead, main character, leading man
Antonyms: antagonist, villain
A sandwich made of a long split roll filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Synonyms: sub, hoagie, grinder, submarine sandwich
Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it's a specific food item)
Adjective
Possessing qualities or actions characteristic of a hero; exhibiting extreme bravery, courage, or self-sacrifice.
Synonyms: courageous, brave, valiant, intrepid, daring, noble, selfless
Antonyms: cowardly, craven, timid, fearful, ignoble
Examples of Use
Books: "In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch emerges as a moral hero, standing up for justice in the face of prejudice."
Newspapers: "The local firefighter was hailed as a hero after rescuing a family from a burning building." (Source: The Daily Sentinel, June 2024)
Online Publications: "Scientists developing new treatments for rare diseases are often unsung heroes of medical advancement." (Source: Scientific American online, April 2025)
Entertainment Mediums (Film): "Marvel Studios' Black Panther introduced a compelling new hero to the superhero cinematic universe."
Entertainment Platforms (Video Games): "Players in Overwatch 2 can choose from a roster of diverse heroes, each with unique abilities."
General Public Discourse: "My grandmother is my hero; she always taught me the importance of kindness and perseverance."
General Public Discourse (Sports): "The last-minute goal made him the hero of the match, securing the team's victory."
Entertainment Mediums (Music): "Mariah Carey's iconic song 'Hero' became an anthem for many, inspiring strength and hope."
10 Quotes Using Hero
"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." (Christopher Reeve)
"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." (Unknown)
"Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy." (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
"You don't have to be a hero to do what you have to do." (Confucius)
"Every man is a hero in his own story." (T.V. Padma)
"The hero and the coward both feel the same thing, but the hero uses his fear, projects it onto his opponent, while the coward runs." (Cus D'Amato)
"A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the strength of his heart." (Hercules, Disney)
"My hero is the man who concentrates on one thing: a single, clear purpose." (Lao Tzu)
"We do not need to be super-human to be a hero. We only need to be human enough to care." (Unknown)
"The hero saves the day, but the sage saves the world." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "hero" has a really old and interesting history, going all the way back to ancient Greece.
It comes from the Greek word "hērōs" (ἥρως). In its earliest known uses in ancient Greece, around the 13th century BC, "hērōs" could mean a few things:
A powerful warrior or chieftain: In early Greek epic poems like the Iliad, it often just meant a strong and respected fighter, or even just a general term for a "man."
A demigod: This was a very important meaning. A "hērōs" was often believed to be a special being, born from the union of a god and a mortal. Think of figures like Heracles (Hercules) who had divine ancestry and performed incredible feats. These heroes were sometimes even given special religious honors or had local cults dedicated to them.
So, originally, the concept of a "hero" was deeply tied to these strong, often divinely connected, individuals who accomplished great things, especially in battle or through extraordinary acts. The word eventually traveled from Greek into Latin ("hērōs") and then made its way into English around the 16th century, still carrying that sense of a person with superhuman strength or courage. Over time, its meaning broadened to include anyone admired for great bravery or noble qualities, and also the main character in a story.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Hero
Local hero: A person who is admired in their community for a brave act or significant achievement.
Unsung hero: A person who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for them.
Hero worship: Excessive admiration for someone.
From zero to hero: To go from being a nobody or having nothing to being highly successful or admired.
Be someone's hero: To be greatly admired or looked up to by someone.
Cult hero: A person who is greatly admired by a small, dedicated group of fans, often for unconventional reasons.
My personal hero: Someone you admire deeply in your own life.
Everyday hero: An ordinary person who performs extraordinary acts of kindness or bravery in daily life.
To go out like a hero: To end one's life or career in a brave and honorable way.
To play the hero: To intentionally act in a way that makes one seem brave or admirable.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of hero from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
