heroine

[her-oh-in]

noun

1. a woman noted for courageous acts or nobility of character.

   Esther and other biblical heroines.

2. 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.

3. the principal female character in a story, play, film, etc.

heroine

/ ˈhɛrəʊɪn /

noun

1. a woman possessing heroic qualities

2. a woman idealized for possessing superior qualities

3. the main female character in a novel, play, film, etc

Gender Note

See hero.

Other Word Forms

• superheroine noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heroine¹

1650–60; < Latin hērōīnē < Greek hērōī́nē, feminine of hḗrōs hero; -ine ²

Example Sentences

In Ava Pickett's fresh adaptation, being staged at London's Rose Theatre, Emma Woodhouse still has all the trademark traits of our beloved original heroine – she's clever, quick-witted, meddling, haughty and occasionally cruel.

From BBC

And with just one episode left in the third and final season of Prime Video’s global hit, fans are anxious to see how the story will end — and who its heroine will end up with.

From Los Angeles Times

"We have all the brilliant classic pantomime elements: a beastly baddie, a heroic heroine, amazing dance routines and side-splitting comedy," said Ms Wood.

From BBC

In both films, the heroines, despite living in Kerala, speak Hindi and are unable to speak fluent Malayalam when they break into it.

From BBC

This also would have robbed Rain and Spaeny of the chance to channel the heroine the audience knows that she’ll never meet, yanking on our nostalgic heartstrings.

From Salon

Related Words

• beau ideal 
• eidolon 
• epitome 
• example 
• exemplar 
• good example www.thesaurus.com
• icon 
• ideal 
• idol 
• model 
• paragon 
• person to look up to www.thesaurus.com
• role model 
• shining example www.thesaurus.com