# hero

Pronunciation: say "HEER-oh" US /ˈhɪɹ.oʊ/, UK /ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/

## Noun

1. A person of great bravery who carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
   - Simple: A person who is very brave and does great or good things.
   - _The town honored the hero who dragged three swimmers out of the riptide._
   - _History remembers heroes not only for their victories but for the sacrifices behind them._
2. A person admired as a role model, whose qualities or achievements others aspire to emulate.
   - Simple: Someone you look up to and want to be like.
   - _Growing up, she counted her chemistry teacher among her heroes._
   - _He kept a photo of his hero, the jazz trumpeter, above his desk._
3. The protagonist in a work of fiction; the central character around whom the story is built.
   - Simple: The main character in a story, movie, or play.
   - _The novel's hero spends the first chapters doubting everything she was raised to believe._
   - _Audiences root for the hero even when his choices grow morally murky._
4. A playable character in a video or card game, chosen and controlled by the player and usually given special powers or abilities.
   - Simple: In a video game or card game, one of the characters a player can pick and control, often with special powers.
   - _The latest update added a new healer hero whose ultimate ability revives fallen teammates._
   - _Each deck is built around a single hero, and the hero's power can be used once per turn._
6. In the legends of the ancient world, a man of more than mortal strength or bravery, often the child of a human and a god, famed for mighty deeds.
   - Simple: In ancient stories, a man of more than human strength or courage, often half god, famous for doing amazing things.
   - _The ancient poem tells how the hero strangled a lion with his bare hands and wore its skin as armor._
   - _An ancient vase in the museum shows two heroes battling a three-headed monster._
7. A large sandwich on a long roll, filled with meats and cheeses. *(dialectal, New York)*
   - Simple: A long sandwich filled with meats and cheeses.
   - _He picked up an Italian hero piled with salami and provolone on his way home._
   - _The corner deli is famous for heroes stuffed with roast beef and peppers._
5. The actor who plays the leading male role in a film, or more generally a male film star. *(India)*
   - Simple: The actor who plays the main male part in a film, or any male film star.
   - _The producers have signed a newcomer as the hero, opposite one of the biggest heroines in the industry._
   - _Every boy in our colony dreamed of growing up to become a hero in the movies._

## Verb

8. To behave as a brave person, role model, or protagonist; to take on a heroic role. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: To act like a hero, by being brave, setting an example, or playing the main part.
   - _Whenever the project stalls, he rushes in to hero instead of letting the team work it out._
   - _Instead of waiting for backup, he heroed into the final fight alone and was knocked out within seconds._

## Other meanings

- (verb) To make something the focus of attention by giving it prominent placement or emphasis.
- (noun) The single product or prop selected from several candidates to appear on camera, as in food advertising or film production.
- (noun) The standout component of a dish; the element meant to take center stage on the palate.
- (noun) The eye-catching top portion of a web page, displayed before the user scrolls, often featuring a large image and a key message.
- (noun) In poker discussion, the current player under consideration, especially a hypothetical player used for examples and teaching, as opposed to the villain, any opposing player.
- (verb) To praise or laud someone or something.

## Origin

It comes through Middle English and Old French from Latin hērōs, from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, "demi-god, hero"), whose earlier origin is uncertain. It replaced the older Middle English word heleð, from Old English hæleþ.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/hero (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).