Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
name
Any of a number of legendary men and women, including the priestess loved by Leander.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Greek
Topics: human-sciences, mysticism, mythology, philosophy, sciences
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
name
A female given name from Ancient Greek of English-speakers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: rare
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A role model.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The protagonist in a work of fiction.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The current player, especially a hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: villain (“any opponent player”). Not to be confused with hero call (“a weak call against a supposed bluff”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: card-games, poker
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: New-York
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: hero sandwich, more at submarine sandwich
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: attributive
Topics: arts, broadcasting, film, hobbies, lifestyle, media, photography, television
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences, web-design
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The standout component of a dish; the part of a dish that should take center stage on the palate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: cooking, food, lifestyle
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To act as a hero (brave person; role model; or protagonist).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: informal, intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To praise or laud.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To bring attention to; to highlight; to spotlight.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
the principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: character, role, theatrical role, part, persona
noun
a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: bomber, grinder, hero sandwich, hoagie, hoagy, Cuban sandwich, Italian sandwich, poor boy, sub, submarine, submarine sandwich, torpedo, wedge, zep
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sandwich
noun
(Greek mythology) priestess of Aphrodite who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while trying to swim the Hellespont to see her
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: mythical being
noun
someone who fights for a cause
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: champion, fighter, paladin
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: defender, guardian, protector, shielder
noun
(classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: mythical being
noun
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: leader
Narrower terms: Arminius, Armin, Hermann, Job
noun
Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: Heron, Hero of Alexandria
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: inventor, discoverer, artificer, mathematician
History
From Ancient Greek Ἡρώ (Hērṓ).
From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hērōs (“hero”), from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “demi-god, hero”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protect”); if so, related to Latin servo (“protect”). Displaced Middle English heleð, haleð, from Old English hæleþ, hæle.
Across languages
370 source translations are retained for this English entry.
