# hero

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhɪə.ɹəʊ/ · frequency rank #2,114

## Definitions
1. Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.
2. A role model.
3. The protagonist in a work of fiction.
4. The current player, especially a hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: villain (“any opponent player”). Not to be confused with hero call (“a weak call against a supposed bluff”).
5. A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses.
6. The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie.
7. The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.
8. The standout component of a dish; the part of a dish that should take center stage on the palate.

## Etymology
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.

## Easily confused with
- **ho** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-ho)
- **HR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hr)
- **hey** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hey)
- **hes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hes)
- **hoo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hoo)
- **het** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-het)
- **HRC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hrc)
- **Hur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hur)
- **HRT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hrt)
- **hrm** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hrm)
- **hor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hor)
- **HMO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hmo)
- **hew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hew)
- **HRW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hrw)
- **hurt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hurt)
- **hire** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hire)
- **horn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-horn)
- **hers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hers)
- **Hugo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-hugo)
- **homo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-homo)

## Common misspellings (5)
`ehro`, `heor`, `herro`, `hhero`, `hreo`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/hero