hero
/ˈhɪərəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · [hˈɪro] /ˈhɪrəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · [hˈiro] /ˈhir-(ˌ)ō/ (ame, mw)
hero — noun
- herosingular
- heroesplural
1. A person who does an unusually brave act or reaches a remarkable goal, earning t
A person who does an unusually brave act or reaches a remarkable goal, earning the admiration of others — for instance, a firefighter who pulls people from a burning building, or an activist who stands up for what is right.
The firefighter who ran into the burning building was hailed as a hero.
hailed as a hero — common collocation
The soldier received a medal for bravery and was treated like a hero when he returned home.
Camila's mother became her hero after raising three children alone while working two jobs.
Every child in the town came out to meet the hero who had pulled the driver from the crashed car.
- champion
focuses on fighting for a cause or defeating opponents, often in sports or social movements
- brave person
literal and less formal; lacks the admiration component of 'hero'
用法筆記
Frequently paired with 'hailed as', 'treated like', or 'made into'. The feminine form 'heroine' exists but is less common in modern use.
常見錯誤
2. The character at the heart of a story, movie, play, or game — often but not alwa
The character at the heart of a story, movie, play, or game — often but not always male — who typically fights for good and must overcome difficult obstacles.
The hero of the novel discovers a hidden world behind a bookshelf in his grandmother's attic.
the hero of [story] — identifies the main character
Quinn plays the hero in the school play — a young prince who must save his kingdom from an evil sorcerer.
In many fantasy films, the hero begins as an ordinary person with no special training or skills.
Rachid prefers stories where the hero is a woman or a child who faces great challenges with courage.
- protagonist
more formal and technical; can refer to any main character regardless of moral alignment
- lead character
less formal and more general; does not imply goodness
- villain
the evil character who opposes the hero in a story
- antagonist
the character who works against the protagonist, not necessarily evil
用法筆記
Traditionally refers to a male protagonist; the feminine form 'heroine' is used for female main characters, though 'hero' is increasingly used for any gender. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about fictional characters, not real people.
常見錯誤
3. Someone you respect greatly because of an ability or personal trait they possess
Someone you respect greatly because of an ability or personal trait they possess, and whose example you try to follow — such as a favourite athlete, musician, or teacher who inspires you.
Mizuki has always been my hero because of her patience and willingness to help others.
my hero — used for personal role models
For many young players on the team, Coach Ayesha is a hero both on and off the court.
The astronaut became a hero to a generation of students who dreamed of exploring space.
Christopher calls his grandfather a hero because he survived the war and later built a school in their hometown.
- idol
stronger admiration, often suggesting the person is seen as perfect; common in fan culture
- role model
focuses on the person's behaviour as something to copy; more about guidance than brave deeds
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive adjective ('my hero', 'her hero', 'their hero') or the pattern 'a hero to [group]'. The focus is on personal admiration rather than brave actions (contrast with sense 1).
4. A type of sandwich that uses a firm, elongated bread roll sliced lengthwise and
A type of sandwich that uses a firm, elongated bread roll sliced lengthwise and stuffed with cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables. Known by various regional names across the US such as sub, hoagie, or grinder.
I stopped at the deli and ordered a hero with ham, cheese, lettuce, and tomato.
regional US usage — 'hero' for a long sandwich
Élise packed two heroes for the road trip — one with turkey and one with roasted vegetables.
The corner shop on Fifth Street makes the best Italian hero in the neighborhood.
Lien ordered a meatball hero smothered in sauce and melted cheese for lunch.
用法筆記
Chiefly US informal. Not used in British English, where 'hero' does not refer to food. Regional synonyms vary: 'sub' (common in much of the US), 'hoagie' (Philadelphia), 'grinder' (New England), 'torpedo' (parts of the Northeast).
常見錯誤
5. In ancient myths and legends, a figure born from a god and a mortal, or a person
In ancient myths and legends, a figure born from a god and a mortal, or a person of superhuman strength and courage who performs incredible feats — such as Hercules, Achilles, or Gilgamesh.
In Greek mythology, the hero Hercules completed twelve impossible tasks as punishment for his past actions.
Greek mythology context — classical hero
Ancient stories about heroes like Achilles and Odysseus taught people lessons about courage, honor, and pride.
Legends of dragon-fighting heroes who save villages exist all across the world.
Ilan's favourite myth tells of a hero who travels to the underworld to rescue his lost wife.
- demigod
more specific: a being who is half-god, half-human; most classical heroes are demigods
- mythic warrior
describes the heroic fighter role without implying divine parentage
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers specifically to classical mythological figures of divine or semi-divine origin, not real people who do brave things. Common in academic discussions of literature and mythology.