heroine
Americannoun
-
a woman noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.
Esther and other biblical heroines.
-
a woman who, in the opinion of others, has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or ideal.
Name two women who have been heroines in your life.
-
the principal female character in a story, play, film, etc.
noun
-
a woman possessing heroic qualities
-
a woman idealized for possessing superior qualities
-
the main female character in a novel, play, film, etc
Gender
See hero.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of heroine
1650–60; < Latin hērōīnē < Greek hērōī́nē, feminine of hḗrōs hero; see -ine 2
Explanation
A heroine is a real-life or fictional woman who has lots of courage and fights on the side of good, maybe by rescuing a kitten from a tree, slaying an evil dragon, or helping you with your science fair project. In books and movies, the heroine is the woman who is the main character, and in comic books and fantasy novels, heroines often have superpowers that help them accomplish incredible feats. There are heroines in regular life too, like women’s rights activists who fight against sexism, or a brave mother who rescues her child from a burning building. Heroine sounds the same as the addictive drug heroin, but a heroine will save your life, while heroin will probably end it.
Vocabulary lists containing heroine
Wonder Woman's Superpower Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Reading: Literature - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Reading: Literature - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They’re the ones to beat, unless Sally Field’s sentimental heroine in ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ warms voters’ hearts.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Sitting next to me was a fan, no older than 18, who'd left Cyprus on his own for the first time, determined to see his heroine.
From BBC • May 2, 2026
As with “Shadow of a Doubt,” Hitchcock’s favorite of his films, the heroine smells trouble when everyone else is oblivious.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
In addition to classical music, this “Man Who Knew Too Much” has pop and a pop-star heroine, one juggling motherhood with a singing career.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Was she a heroine if all she did was fix a mistake she made?
From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
