# heroine

/ˈhɛɹoʊən/ (US) · /hˈɛɹəʊˌɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heroine
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. brave woman

noun · CEFR B1

a woman who does something very brave or important and is admired by others.

For teachers: a woman admired for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

- The nurse became a national heroine after saving dozens of people during the flood.
- History books often overlook the local heroines who risked their lives to lead resistance movements during the occupation.

Usage: While 'heroine' specifically refers to a woman, many modern speakers use the gender-neutral 'hero' for everyone.

### 2. main character

noun · CEFR B2

the most important woman or girl in a book, play, or movie.

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

- In the final chapter, the heroine finally discovers the secret of her past.
- The author subverts traditional tropes by creating a heroine who is deeply flawed and occasionally unsympathetic to the reader.

Teaching tip: In contemporary literary criticism, 'protagonist' is often preferred over 'heroine' to avoid focusing on the character's gender.

## Examples

- She is a heroine in our local community.
- The nurse was hailed as a heroine for saving three patients during the fire.
- Historians now recognize her as a heroine of the resistance, whose quiet bravery inspired a generation of activists.

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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.