Hero Meaning
/ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounSomebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
nounA role model.
Sentence Examples
He is an unsung hero.
No man is a hero to his valet.
The brave firefighter was hailed as a hero by the community.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He saved the child from the burning building and became a local ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The brave firefighter was hailed as a local ____ after he rescued the family from the burning house.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English heroes, from Old French heroes, from Latin hērōs (“hero”), from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “demi-god, hero”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ser- (“to watch over, protect”); if so, related to Latin servo (“protect”). Displaced Middle English heleð, haleð, from Old English hæleþ, hæle.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""I'm no hero," insists freckle-faced 14-year-old Freddie Hanberry. But to many of the young cancer patients, nurses and staff at University Medical Center here, he is as close as you can get. The "hero" talk began when a national magazine featured Hanberry, who has leukemia, in a special section called "100 New American Heroes.""
— 1986 August 10, “Cancer victim some kind of hero”, in The Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA:
"Every cancer victim is a true hero."
— 1993, Susanne Baxandall with Prasuna Reddy, The Courage to Care: The Impact of Cancer on the Family:
"She is my hero, my heart, my baby till the end of time,” said Gabby's father"
— 2011 September 12, Eileen Faust, “5-year-old Phoenixville cancer victim loses fight”, in The Mercury:
"Each flag represents a hero, Andrews said, whether a first responder or victim of 9/11, active, fallen, or retired military, special friend or family member."
— 2011 September 12, Jen Armstrong, “Sherrill honors heroes of 9/11”, in Oneida Dispatch:
"At the time, with the D-Day invasion of Europe going on, their heroism was hardly noticed. Plenty of other heroes were dying elsewhere. Plenty of bigger bits of history were being made."
— 2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 1948, page 43:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He saved the child from the burning building and became a local ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The brave firefighter was hailed as a local ____ after he rescued the family from the burning house.