# heroin

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhɛɹoʊ.ɪn/ · frequency rank #8,043

## Definitions
1. A powerful and addictive drug derived from opium producing intense euphoria, classed as an illegal narcotic in most of the world.

## Etymology
Since the 1890s, from German Heroin, originally a trademark, from Ancient Greek ἥρως (hḗrōs, “hero”) and the suffix -in (“-ine”). Said to have been called thus to evoke quick and sweeping effect as a painkiller and cough suppressant (its original uses). Alternatively explained as a reference to the heroic school of medicine.

## Easily confused with
- **Huron** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroin-vs-huron)
- **heron** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroin-vs-heron)
- **heroine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroin-vs-heroine)
- **herring** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroin-vs-herring)
- **heroism** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroin-vs-heroism)
- **hero** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hero-vs-heroin)
- **Hein** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hein-vs-heroin)
- **Herod** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/herod-vs-heroin)
- **heroes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroes-vs-heroin)
- **heroic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroic-vs-heroin)
- **herein** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/herein-vs-heroin)
- **Herman** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/herman-vs-heroin)
- **hermit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hermit-vs-heroin)
- **Hebron** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hebron-vs-heroin)
- **hernia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hernia-vs-heroin)
- **Hardin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/hardin-vs-heroin)
- **Herbie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/herbie-vs-heroin)
- **Harbin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/harbin-vs-heroin)
- **herding** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/herding-vs-heroin)
- **heroics** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/heroics-vs-heroin)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ehroin`, `heorin`, `herion`, `heroinn`, `heroni`, `herroin`, `hheroin`, `hreoin`

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