protagonist
gb/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/ us/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
B2
English
főszereplő, szószóló
NOUN
B2
1
főszereplő
B1
Usage pattern:
the protagonist of [a book/film/story]
The protagonist of the novel is a young doctor working in a war zone.
A regény főszereplője egy háborús övezetben dolgozó fiatal orvos.
In the film, the protagonist slowly realizes he has been lied to for years.
A filmben a főszereplő lassan rájön, hogy évek óta hazudnak neki.
We see the story mostly through the protagonist’s eyes.
Learner examples
The protagonist is the main character.
A főszereplő a történet központi alakja.
Who is the protagonist in this movie?
Ki a főszereplő ebben a filmben?
Common mistake:
A protagonist is the main character, not necessarily a good person; the opposite role is usually the antagonist.
Meaning
main character in a story
Collocations
main protagonist
|central protagonist
|the novel's protagonist
|the film's protagonist
|a sympathetic protagonist
|a complex protagonist
|a strong protagonist
|follow the protagonist
|the protagonist's journey
|protagonist and antagonist
Synonyms
main character (Direct, neutral synonym.)
|
hero (Common in stories, but often suggests the character is admirable or morally good.)
Antonyms
antagonist (The character who opposes the protagonist.)
|
villain (An opponent who is clearly bad or harmful; not all antagonists are villains.)
Themes
literature
|film_tv
|storytelling
Definition
the most important character in a story
The main character in a story, film, play, or other narrative, whose actions and experiences are central to the plot.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
főszereplő
B2
Usage pattern:
a protagonist in [a dispute/crisis/scandal]
She became a protagonist in the debate over online privacy.
Az online adatvédelemről szóló vita egyik főszereplőjévé vált.
The two protagonists in the scandal gave competing accounts to the press.
A botrány két főszereplője eltérő beszámolókat adott a sajtónak.
Historians still argue about who the main protagonists of the revolution were.
Learner examples
He was a main protagonist in the conflict.
A konfliktus egyik főszereplője volt.
She is one of the protagonists in this case.
Ő az ügy egyik főszereplője.
Common mistake:
In this meaning, it refers to real situations, not stories; it can sound formal or journalistic.
Meaning
central person in an event
Collocations
a leading protagonist
|a key protagonist
|a central protagonist
|a protagonist in the dispute
|political protagonists
|protagonists on both sides
|the main protagonists
|the protagonists of the crisis
Synonyms
central figure (Neutral focus on prominence.)
|
key player (More modern and slightly less formal; often used in politics or business.)
Antonyms
bystander (Someone present but not involved.)
|
minor figure (Someone with little importance in the situation.)
Themes
news
|society
|conflict
Definition
the main person involved in an event
The most important or noticeable person in a real-life event, conflict, or situation.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
3
szószóló
B2
Usage pattern:
a protagonist of [an idea/policy/reform]
He was a prominent protagonist of education reform.
Az oktatási reform egyik jelentős szószólója volt.
Several scientists became protagonists of stronger climate policies.
Több tudós is a szigorúbb klímapolitika szószólójává vált.
She emerged as a protagonist for disability rights in the workplace.
Learner examples
She is a protagonist of the new plan.
Ő az új terv egyik szószólója.
He became a protagonist of equal rights.
Az egyenlő jogok szószólójává vált.
Common mistake:
This meaning is closer to 'champion' or 'advocate'; it is not about fiction characters.
Meaning
leading supporter of a cause
Collocations
a protagonist of reform
|a protagonist of change
|an early protagonist
|a vocal protagonist
|a prominent protagonist
|a protagonist for the policy
|a protagonist of the movement
|a protagonist of equal rights
Synonyms
advocate (Stresses speaking or arguing in support.)
|
champion (Stresses energetic, public support and promotion.)
Antonyms
opponent (Someone who argues against the cause or idea.)
|
critic (Someone who expresses disapproval; may not be directly opposing in action.)
Themes
politics
|society
|activism
Definition
a person who strongly supports an idea
A person who strongly supports and actively promotes a cause, idea, or policy, often taking a leading role.
Grammar
Dictionary form
protagonist
IPA
GB/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
US/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
Syllables & stress
prot - ag - on - ist (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ag)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: protagonist
- Plural: protagonists
Word family
Forms
protagonists
noun
Negative and opposite forms
antagonist
noun B2
Advanced or less common
antagonistic
adjective
antagonism
noun C1
Expressions
be the protagonist of your own life
1/bˈi ðə pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst əv jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn lˈaɪf/
idiom
take active control of life
to take control of your life
Examples
- She decided to be the protagonist of her own life and apply for the job she really wanted.
- The coach told the team to be the protagonists of their own lives, not spectators.
Learner examples
- Be the protagonist of your own life.
- I want to be the protagonist of my own life.
protagonist and antagonist
1/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst ˈænd æntˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
hero and opposing character together
The main character in a story and the main character who fights against that person.
Examples
- In this play, the line between protagonist and antagonist is deliberately blurred.
- The writing workshop focused on building strong conflicts between the protagonist and antagonist.
- Students had to describe the relationship between the protagonist and antagonist in the novel.
protagonist and antagonist
1/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst ˈænd æntˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
main character and opponent
the main character and the one who fights them
Examples
- The film blurs the line between protagonist and antagonist.
- Good thrillers build tension by giving both the protagonist and antagonist strong motives.
Learner examples
- The protagonist and antagonist fight each other.
- Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?
reluctant protagonist
1/ɹɪlˈʌktənt pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
main character who resists role
a main character who does not want the role
Examples
- The series follows a reluctant protagonist who keeps trying to avoid trouble.
- In her memoir, she presents herself as a reluctant protagonist in a family feud.
Learner examples
- He is a reluctant protagonist.
- She was a reluctant protagonist in the story.
tragic protagonist
1/tɹˈæd͡ʒɪk pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
literary
main character in a tragedy
the main character in a sad tragedy
Examples
- In Shakespeare’s play, the tragic protagonist’s choices drive the disaster.
- The novel builds sympathy for its tragic protagonist before the final collapse.
Learner examples
- The tragic protagonist loses everything.
- He is the tragic protagonist of the play.
unlikely protagonist
1/ʌnlˈaɪkli pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
surprising main character
a surprising person to be the main character
Examples
- A quiet accountant makes an unlikely protagonist for an action film.
- In the documentary, the teacher becomes an unlikely protagonist in a national controversy.
Learner examples
- He is an unlikely protagonist.
- She makes an unlikely protagonist for this story.