What does "hero" mean?
Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
Hero
/ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
- Grammar: hero is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: champion, a man, achilles, acme.
- Useful contrasts: heavy, ugly ogre, wicked.
- Usage evidence: One murder makes a villain, millions a hero.
How to use "hero"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "hero" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "hero" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "hero" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "hero" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "hero" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "champion" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "hero", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
""I'm no hero," insists freckle-faced 14-year-old Freddie Hanberry. But to many of the young cancer patients, nurses and staff at University Medical Center here, he is as close as you can get. The "hero" talk began when a national magazine featured Hanberry, who has leukemia, in a special section called "100 New American Heroes.""
- 2 the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem wordnet
- 3 A role model.
- 4 a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States wordnet
- 5 The protagonist in a work of fiction.
"However, even this great hero of the story is somewhat of a simpleton (when he lets himself be crucially deceived by Peacock Ravana in Vibhisana's shape), and a weakling (when in spite of all his strength he is almost beaten by his own son, one of the rākṣasas)"
Show 8 more definitions
- 6 someone who fights for a cause wordnet
- 7 The current player, especially a hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: villain (“any opponent player”). Not to be confused with hero call (“a weak call against a supposed bluff”).
"Let's discuss how to play if the hero has KK, and there's an ace on board."
- 8 (classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god wordnet
- 9 A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses; a hero sandwich. New-York
- 10 a person distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength wordnet
- 11 The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie. attributive
"The preparation of the hero food involves any number of specialized techniques food stylists have developed to deal with the demands of photographing food."
- 12 The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
- 13 The standout component of a dish; the part of a dish that should take center stage on the palate.
Verb
- 1 To act as a hero (brave person; role model; or protagonist). informal, intransitive
"“I don’t think so.” He grinned hugely, revealing smoker’s teeth and halitosis that would fell a rhino. “I don’t think you want to be heroing off just yet. I don’t think you've had a good time in ages.”"
- 2 To praise or laud. transitive
- 3 To bring attention to; to highlight; to spotlight. transitive
Proper Noun
- 1 Any of a number of legendary men and women, including the priestess loved by Leander. Greek
- 2 A female given name from Ancient Greek of English-speakers. rare
"You hear, Count Claudio: I can be secret as a dumb man; I would have you think so; but on my allegiance mark you this, on my allegiance: he is in love. With who? now that is your Grace's part. Mark how short his answer is: with Hero, Leonato's short daughter."
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"One murder makes a villain, millions a hero."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "hero"?
Common synonyms include: champion, a man, achilles, acme, actor, adventurer.
How do you use "hero" in a sentence?
One murder makes a villain, millions a hero.
How do you pronounce "hero"?
Pronounced /ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hērōs (“hero”), from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “demi-god, hero”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protect”); if so, related to Latin servo (“protect”). Displaced Middle English heleð, haleð, from Old English hæleþ, hæle.
Etymology 2
From Ancient Greek Ἡρώ (Hērṓ).