definitions

heroine

[ her-oh-in ]
/ ˈhɛr oʊ ɪn /

noun

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.

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Nearby words

heroicize, heroicomic, heroics, heroin, heroin chic, heroine, heroinism, heroism, heroize, heron, heron's-bill
Compare hero(defs 1–3).

Origin of heroine

1650–60; < Latin hērōīnē < Greek hērōī́nē, feminine of hḗrōs hero; see -ine2

Related forms

su·per·her·o·ine, noun

Can be confused

heroin heroine

Usage note

See hero.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for super-heroine (1 of 2)

super-heroine

noun

a fictional woman character with superhuman abilities or magical powers, wearing a distinctive costume, and fighting against evil

British Dictionary definitions for super-heroine (2 of 2)

heroine

/ (ˈhɛrəʊɪn) /

noun

a woman possessing heroic qualities
a woman idealized for possessing superior qualities
the main female character in a novel, play, film, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012