English Explanatory Dictionary

hero

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
  2. A role model.
  3. The protagonist in a work of fiction.
  4. 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”).
  5. A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses.
  6. The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie.
  7. The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
  8. 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).
  2. To praise or laud.
  3. To bring attention to; to highlight; to spotlight.
name
  1. Any of a number of legendary men and women, including the priestess loved by Leander.
  2. A female given name from Ancient Greek of English-speakers.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/ [ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ~ˈçɪə.ɹəʊ] /ˈhɪɹ.oʊ/ /ˈhiɹ.oʊ/ En-us-hero.ogg /ˈhɛɹ.oʊ/

Word forms

hero heroes heros heroing heroeing heroed

Etymology

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.

Synonyms

the brave bully daredevil good guy goodie Hector hero knight in shining armor lion lionheart thunderbolt tiger white hat white knight worthy wye hero sandwich more at submarine sandwich sub

Antonyms

antihero coward villain

Related words

demigod halfgod brave model kamikaze martyr shaheed

Derived words

action hero an hero antihero anti-hero Byronic hero Clitar Hero cult hero culture hero cyberhero dark hero folk hero go from zero to hero have-a-go hero hero ball hero city hero complex herodom heroess herohood heroic heroics heroify heroise heroize heroism heroization heroless herolike heroness heroship hero shooter hero shot hero shrew hero syndrome hero worship local hero megahero monarchical hero never meet your heroes nonhero North Hero shero solar hero subhero superhero tragic hero unsung hero ur-hero war hero
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
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