# protagonist

/pɹoʊˈtæɡənəst/ (US) · /pɹəʊtˈæɡənˌɪst/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. main character

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: the principal character in a literary work, film, or drama, around whom the plot revolves.

- In the novel, the protagonist must decide between his family and his career.
- The author challenges traditional tropes by creating a protagonist whose moral ambiguity makes it difficult for the audience to offer their full sympathy.

### 2. leader or advocate

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

an important person who leads a movement or supports a particular cause.

For teachers: a leading figure, advocate, or champion of a particular cause, movement, or course of action.

- She was a key protagonist in the fight for better working conditions.
- Historians identify him as a central protagonist in the reform movement, noting his ability to unify disparate political factions under a single banner.

## Examples

- The protagonist of the novel is a young detective.
- In many classic fairy tales, the protagonist must complete three difficult tasks to prove their worth.
- Modern literature often features an unreliable protagonist whose perspective forces the reader to question the reality of the events being described.

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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.