superhero
- 01 A2 Elementary
a character in a story, comic, or movie who has special powers and fights bad people.
a fictional character, often originating in comic books, who possesses superhuman abilities and acts as a protector of society.
Simple“Spider-Man is a famous superhero who can climb walls and catch criminals with webs.”
In context“The modern cinematic landscape is dominated by superhero franchises that explore the moral complexities of possessing absolute power.”
UsageThe word is often used as a compound noun or as an adjective in 'superhero movie'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a real person who does something incredibly brave or helpful.
a person who performs extraordinary feats of courage or displays exceptional skill in a real-world context.
Simple“My sister is a total superhero for working two jobs while finishing her degree.”
In context“The community viewed the local doctor as a superhero after she worked tirelessly through the peak of the health crisis.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is often used as a hyperbolic compliment to acknowledge someone's hard work or resilience.
From super- + hero. First attested in 1917.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.