# hero

/ˈhiɹoʊ/ (US) · /hˈiəɹəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hero
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. brave person

noun · CEFR A2

a person who is admired for their great courage or noble qualities.

For teachers: an individual distinguished by exceptional courage, fortitude, or noble purpose.

- The firefighters were treated as heroes after saving the family from the burning building.
- The community gathered to honour the local heroes who had risked their lives during the flood to rescue stranded residents.

### 2. main character

noun · CEFR B1

the main character in a book, movie, or play.

For teachers: the principal male character or protagonist in a literary or dramatic work.

- At the end of the movie, the hero finally defeats his enemy and returns home.
- Modern novelists often subvert the traditional image of the hero by giving their protagonists significant moral flaws and internal conflicts.

### 3. large sandwich

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a very large sandwich made on a long loaf of bread.

For teachers: a large sandwich consisting of a long roll split lengthwise and filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

- We ordered a giant Italian hero to share for lunch.
- The deli is famous for its massive roast beef hero, which is served on a crusty baguette with homemade gravy.

### 4. advertising/design

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the main product or image that is meant to grab your attention.

For teachers: the primary subject of a photograph or the prominent top section of a webpage designed to capture immediate attention.

- The designer placed a hero image of the new car at the top of the website.
- In food photography, the hero is the specific burger chosen for its perfect appearance, while the others are used only for lighting tests.

### 5. to highlight

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal

to give someone or something a lot of praise or attention.

For teachers: to celebrate, praise, or bring significant public attention to a person or concept.

- The campaign aims to hero the hard work of everyday teachers.
- The annual report sought to hero the sustainability initiatives that the company had implemented over the previous fiscal year.

## Examples

- The firefighter became a local hero after saving the family.
- In many classic stories, the hero must overcome a series of difficult challenges to save his village.
- Modern literature often explores the concept of the flawed hero, where the protagonist possesses significant moral failings despite their capacity for great deeds.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.