hero
hero Lexical Profile
hero Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
"The local firefighter became a community hero after rescuing three children from the burning building."
The chief male character in a book, play, or movie, who is typically identified with good qualities and with whom the reader or audience is expected to sympathize.
"At the end of the classic novel, the hero finally overcomes his inner doubts and reconciles with his family."
In mythology and folklore, a person of superhuman qualities and often semi-divine origin, whose deeds are the subject of ancient legends.
"Hercules is perhaps the most famous hero in classical Greco-Roman mythology."
American A large sandwich made from a long, cylindrical roll split lengthwise and filled with layers of meat, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and condiments (especially in the New York metropolitan area).
"We stopped at a corner delicatessen in Brooklyn to pick up an Italian hero for lunch."
• Rhymes for hero
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Latin from Ancient Greek 'hērōs' (meaning 'demigod' or 'warrior'), which is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *ser- meaning 'to protect' or 'to watch over'.