hero
gb/hˈɪɹoʊ/ us/hˈɪɹoʊ/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Person admired for bravery
A person who is admired for being brave or doing something very good.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a hero
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'hero' with 'idol' when referring to celebrities; 'hero' usually implies bravery or noble action, not just popularity.
Synonyms
champion (Emphasizes someone who fights for a cause or defends others.)
|
idol (Focuses more on admiration and fame rather than bravery.)
Antonyms
villain (Someone who is wicked or opposes the hero in a story or real life.)
Collocations
war hero
|national hero
|unsung hero
|local hero
|true hero
Themes
people
|society
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She became a national hero after saving the children from the fire.
- He is considered a war hero for his bravery in battle.
- The firefighter was hailed as a hero by the community.
- Many people see scientists working on cures as modern-day heroes.
- She called her father her hero for always supporting her.
Learner examples
- My brother is my hero because he helps me.
- The soldier is a hero to his country.
- She is a hero after she saved the dog.
- The man is a hero for stopping the thief.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Main male character in story
The main man in a story, play, or movie.
Usage pattern:
the hero of [a story/movie/etc.]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'hero' for female main characters; 'heroine' is traditional but 'hero' is now common for all genders.
Synonyms
protagonist (Technical literary term for the main character, regardless of gender.)
Antonyms
antagonist (The character who opposes the hero in a story.)
Collocations
tragic hero
|romantic hero
|story's hero
Themes
arts
|literature
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The hero of the novel struggles with his identity.
- In many fairy tales, the hero must defeat a monster.
- The film's hero is a humble farmer who becomes king.
- Shakespeare's Hamlet is considered a tragic hero.
Learner examples
- The hero of this movie is very brave.
- He is the hero in the story.
- The hero saves the princess.
Noun
informal
B1
entity
3
Large sandwich with fillings
A big sandwich with meat, cheese, and vegetables inside bread.
Usage pattern:
order a hero [with something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the person meaning; context about food is important.
Synonyms
submarine sandwich (More common in American English outside certain regions; refers to the same food item.)
Collocations
meatball hero
|Italian hero
|turkey hero
Themes
food
|daily life
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- I ordered an Italian hero for lunch.
- She picked up two meatball heroes from the deli.
- The shop is famous for its giant heroes.
Learner examples
- I want a turkey hero.
- He eats a big hero for lunch.
- She buys a meatball hero.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hero
IPA
GB/hˈɪɹoʊ/
US/hˈɪɹoʊ/
Syllables & stress
hero (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hero)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hero
- Plural: heroes
Word family
Expressions
make someone a hero
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn ə hˈɪɹoʊ/
fixed phrase
Cause someone to be seen as brave/noble
To do something that makes people see someone as brave or noble.
Examples
- Saving the child made him a hero in everyone's eyes.
- That speech made her a hero among activists.
play the hero
1/plˈeɪ ðə hˈɪɹoʊ/
idiom
Act bravely or dramatically like a hero
To act brave or important like a hero, often to impress others.
Examples
- He played the hero and rushed into the burning building.
- Stop trying to play the hero; it’s dangerous.
unsung hero
1/ʌnsˈʌŋ hˈɪɹoʊ/
fixed phrase
Unrecognized person who does good work
A person who does something important or helpful but is not praised or recognized.
Examples
- The nurses were the unsung heroes of the crisis.
- He’s an unsung hero in our community, helping those in need quietly.