The hero of a book, play, film, or story is the main male character, who usually has good qualities.
The hero of Doctor Zhivago dies in 1929. [+ of]
...the author's decision to make his hero a photographer.
Synonyms: protagonist, leading man, lead actor, male lead More Synonyms of hero
2. countable noun
A hero is someone, especially a man, who has done something brave, new, or good, and who is therefore greatly admired by a lot of people.
He called Mr Mandela a hero who had inspired millions.
...the goalscoring hero of the British hockey team.
They think you're some sort of hero.
Synonyms: star, champion, celebrity, victor More Synonyms of hero
3. countable noun [usually singular, with poss]
If you describe someone as your hero, you mean that you admire them a great deal, usually because of a particular quality or skill that they have.
He was the boyhood hero for every kid of my generation who knew anything about tennis.
No matter, he remained the hero of the crowds.
More Synonyms of hero
hero in British English
(ˈhɪərəʊ)
nounWord forms: plural-roes
1.
a person distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, fortitude, etc
2.
a person who is idealized for possessing superior qualities in any field
3. classical mythology
a being of extraordinary strength and courage, often the offspring of a mortal and a god, who is celebrated for his exploits
4.
the principal male character in a novel, play, etc
5. (modifier)
denoting something that creates or aspires to create an exceptional impact
hero behaviour
a hero jacket
Word origin
C14: from Latin hērōs, from Greek
Hero in British English1
(ˈhɪərəʊ)
noun
Greek mythology
a priestess of Aphrodite, who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while swimming the Hellespont to visit her
Hero in British English2
(ˈhɪərəʊ) or Heron
noun
1st century ad, Greek mathematician and inventor
Hero in American English1
(ˈhɪroʊ; ˈhiˌroʊ)
noun
Greek Legend
a priestess of Aphrodite at Sestos: her lover, Leander, swims the Hellespont fromAbydos every night to be with her; when he drowns in a storm, Hero throws herself into the sea
Word origin
L < Gr Hērō
Hero in American English2
(ˈhɪroʊ; ˈhiroʊ)
Heron
hero in American English
(ˈhɪroʊ; ˈhiˌroʊ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈheroes
1. Mythology and Legend
a man of great strength and courage, favored by the gods and in part descended from them, often regarded as a half-god and worshiped after his death
2.
any person, esp. a man, admired for courage, nobility, or exploits, esp. in war
3.
any person, esp. a man, admired for qualities or achievements and regarded as an ideal or model
4.
the central male character in a novel, play, poem, etc., with whom the reader or audience is supposed to sympathize
5.
the central figure in any important event or period, honored for outstanding qualities
6. US
hero sandwich
Word origin
L heros < Gr hērōs < IE base *ser-, to watch over, protect > Av haraiti, (he) protects, Lith sárgas, watchman
Examples of 'hero' in a sentence
hero
With his heart thumping with excitement he felt like a conquering hero.
St. James, Ian FINAL RESORT
There is nothing in the world so passé as yesterday's sporting hero.
Malcolm, John THE GWEN JOHN SCULPTURE
McGregor was a ringleader, a man who wouldn't take seconds from anybody, a hero.
Kippax, Frank THE SCAR
Quotations
Unhappy the land that is in need of heroesBertolt BrechtGalileo
If I was to stumble upon Jesus Christ I'd say `Good Afternoon' and then walk on. But if I met Robert Burns or Shakespeare, well, that would be a different matter. I'd stop and talk for a wee whileRobin Jenkins
See, the conquering hero comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums!Thomas MorellJudas Maccabeus
Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens devils to contest his visionNorman MailerThe Presidential Papers
Word lists with
hero
Characters in classical mythology, Shakespeare
In other languages
hero
British English: hero /ˈhɪərəʊ/ NOUN
The hero of a book, play, or film is the main male character, who usually has good qualities.
He plays the hero in the movie.
American English: hero
Arabic: بَطَل novel
Brazilian Portuguese: herói
Chinese: 英雄
Croatian: heroj
Czech: hrdina
Danish: helt
Dutch: held
European Spanish: héroe
Finnish: sankari
French: héros
German: Held
Greek: ήρωας
Italian: eroe
Japanese: ヒーロー
Korean: 영웅
Norwegian: helt
Polish: bohater
European Portuguese: herói
Romanian: protagonist
Russian: герой
Latin American Spanish: héroe
Swedish: hjälte
Thai: วีรบุรุษ
Turkish: kahraman
Ukrainian: герой
Vietnamese: anh hùng
All related terms of 'hero'
anti-hero
An anti-hero is the main character in a novel, play, or film who is not morally good and does not behave like a typical hero .
folk hero
a hero to the ordinary people of a country
non-hero
a central character in a novel, play, etc, who lacks the traditional heroic virtues
war hero
a person who is admired for bravery in war
action hero
the hero in an action film
culture hero
a mythical or mythicized historical figure who embodies the aspirations or ideals of a society
hero sandwich
a long thin crusty bread roll filled with meats and cheese with salad and condiments
hero worship
Hero-worship is a very great admiration of someone and a belief that they are special or perfect.
hero's welcome
a very enthusiastic reception from a group of people who show their admiration for something good that you have done
Chinese translation of 'hero'
hero
(ˈhɪərəu)
Word forms:plheroes
n(c)
[in book, film]男主人公 (nán zhǔréngōng) (个(個), gè)
[of battle, struggle]英雄 (yīngxióng) (位, wèi)
Clint Eastwood is my hero克林特·伊斯特伍德是我崇拜的偶像 (Kèlíntè Yīsītèwǔdé shì wǒ chóngbài de ǒuxiàng)
1 (noun)
Definition
the principal male character in a novel, play, etc.
The hero of Doctor Zhivago dies in 1929.
Synonyms
protagonist
leading man
lead actor
male lead
principal male character
2 (noun)
Definition
a man of exceptional courage, nobility, etc.
the goalscoring hero of the Indian hockey team
Synonyms
star
Not all football stars are ill-behaved louts.
champion
Kasparov became a world chess champion.
celebrity
At the age of twelve, he was already a celebrity.
victor
to the victor the spoils
superstar
a Hollywood superstar
great man or woman
heart-throb (British)
a Hollywood heart-throb with lots of admirers
conqueror
Alexander the Great, conqueror of the known world
exemplar
celeb (informal)
megastar (informal)
popular figure
man or woman of the hour
3 (noun)
Definition
a man who is idealized for having superior qualities in any field
I still remember my boyhood heroes.
Synonyms
idol
They cheered as they caught sight of their idol.
favourite
He was a favourite of the king.
pin-up (slang)
fave (informal)
Quotations
Unhappy the land that is in need of heroes [Bertolt Brecht – Galileo]If I was to stumble upon Jesus Christ I'd say `Good Afternoon' and then walk on. But if I met Robert Burns or Shakespeare, well, that would be a different matter. I'd stop and talk for a wee while [Robin Jenkins]See, the conquering hero comes! Sound the trumpets, beat the drums! [Thomas Morell – Judas Maccabeus]Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens devils to contest his vision [Norman Mailer – The Presidential Papers]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of celebrity
Definition
a famous person
At the age of twelve, he was already a celebrity.
Synonyms
personality,
name,
star,
lion,
superstar,
big name,
dignitary,
luminary,
bigwig (informal),
celeb (informal),
face (informal),
big shot (informal),
personage,
megastar (informal),
V.I.P.
in the sense of champion
Definition
a person, plant, or animal that has defeated all others in a competition