protagonist
gb/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/ us/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
B2
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B2
role
1
main character in a story
the most important character in a story
Schéma d’usage :
the protagonist of [a book/film/story]
Erreur fréquente :
A protagonist is the main character, not necessarily a good person; the opposite role is usually the antagonist.
Synonymes
main character (Direct, neutral synonym.)
|
hero (Common in stories, but often suggests the character is admirable or morally good.)
Antonymes
antagonist (The character who opposes the protagonist.)
|
villain (An opponent who is clearly bad or harmful; not all antagonists are villains.)
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
Thèmes
literature
|film_tv
|storytelling
Exemples
- The protagonist of the novel is a young doctor working in a war zone.
- In the film, the protagonist slowly realizes he has been lied to for years.
- We see the story mostly through the protagonist’s eyes.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The protagonist is the main character.
- Who is the protagonist in this movie?
Nom
formal
C1
role
2
central person in an event
the main person involved in an event
Schéma d’usage :
a protagonist in [a dispute/crisis/scandal]
Erreur fréquente :
In this meaning, it refers to real situations, not stories; it can sound formal or journalistic.
Synonymes
central figure (Neutral focus on prominence.)
|
key player (More modern and slightly less formal; often used in politics or business.)
Antonymes
bystander (Someone present but not involved.)
|
minor figure (Someone with little importance in the situation.)
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
Thèmes
news
|society
|conflict
Exemples
- She became a protagonist in the debate over online privacy.
- The two protagonists in the scandal gave competing accounts to the press.
- Historians still argue about who the main protagonists of the revolution were.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He was a main protagonist in the conflict.
- She is one of the protagonists in this case.
Nom
formal
C1
role
3
leading supporter of a cause
a person who strongly supports an idea
Schéma d’usage :
a protagonist of [an idea/policy/reform]
Erreur fréquente :
This meaning is closer to 'champion' or 'advocate'; it is not about fiction characters.
Synonymes
advocate (Stresses speaking or arguing in support.)
|
champion (Stresses energetic, public support and promotion.)
Antonymes
opponent (Someone who argues against the cause or idea.)
|
critic (Someone who expresses disapproval; may not be directly opposing in action.)
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
Thèmes
politics
|society
|activism
Exemples
- He was a prominent protagonist of education reform.
- Several scientists became protagonists of stronger climate policies.
- She emerged as a protagonist for disability rights in the workplace.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She is a protagonist of the new plan.
- He became a protagonist of equal rights.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
protagonist
API
GB/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
US/pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
Syllabes et accentuation
prot - ag - on - ist (4 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ag)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: protagonist
- Plural: protagonists
Famille de mots
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
Exemples
- 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.
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.
Exemples
- 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
Exemples
- The film blurs the line between protagonist and antagonist.
- Good thrillers build tension by giving both the protagonist and antagonist strong motives.
reluctant protagonist
1/ɹɪlˈʌktənt pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
main character who resists role
a main character who does not want the role
Exemples
- 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.
tragic protagonist
1/tɹˈæd͡ʒɪk pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
literary
main character in a tragedy
the main character in a sad tragedy
Exemples
- In Shakespeare’s play, the tragic protagonist’s choices drive the disaster.
- The novel builds sympathy for its tragic protagonist before the final collapse.
unlikely protagonist
1/ʌnlˈaɪkli pɹoʊtˈæɡənɪst/
fixed phrase
surprising main character
a surprising person to be the main character
Exemples
- A quiet accountant makes an unlikely protagonist for an action film.
- In the documentary, the teacher becomes an unlikely protagonist in a national controversy.