hero

Meaning

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. (New-York) A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses; a hero sandwich.
6. (attributive) 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. (informal, intransitive) To act as a hero (brave person; role model; or protagonist).
2. (transitive) To praise or laud.
3. (transitive) To bring attention to; to highlight; to spotlight.

Synonyms

champion

warrior

brave

protagonist

great man

brave man

heroine

🦸‍♀️

fighter

brave person

paladin

man

👨

fearless

main character

patriot

victor

leading actor

knight

brave warrior

winner

character

strongman

gallant

be heroic

gentleman

🤵‍♂️

giant

role model

grinder

bomber

sub

submarine

torpedo

wedge

athlete

hero sandwich

Cuban sandwich

hoagie

good guy

hoagy

Italian sandwich

poor boy

strong man

submarine sandwich

cavalier

zep

idol

genius

heroic person

be fearless

from "briew shlur"

ascetic

Translations

héros

🦸‍♂️

Held

🦸‍♂️

eroe

🦸‍♂️

héroe

🦸‍♂️

herói

🦸‍♂️

ήρωας

held

🦸‍♂️

heroi

🦸‍♂️

heroína

🦸‍♀️

kahraman

🦸‍♂️

ηρωίδα

heldin

🦸‍♀️

heros

protagonista

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: heroes

Cognate with Latin: servo

Cognate with Middle English: heleð

Cognate with Old English: hæle

In summary

From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hērōs (“hero”), from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “demi-god, hero”), from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protect”). Related to Latin servo (“protect”). Displaced Middle English heleð, haleð, from Old English hæleþ, hæle.