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See also: héroïne and heroïne



Via Latin heroina from late Ancient Greek (2nd century) ἡρωΐνη ‎(hērōḯnē), a feminine equivalent of ἥρως ‎(hḗrōs, hero) "hero, demigod", equivalent to hero +‎ -ine.

  • English from 1650. The sense of "female lead character" is from 1715.



heroine ‎(plural heroines, masculine hero)

  1. A female hero.
  2. A female lead character.


Derived terms[edit]

Usage notes[edit]

  • In sense 1, hero, the masculine of heroine, is sometimes used, though it is still acceptable to use the feminine.
She is an American hero (or heroine).
  • Like feminine nouns formed with the suffix -ess, heroine refers only to females, whereas hero can refer to both males and females.
Who is your favorite hero? (answer can refer to either sex)
Who is your favorite heroine? (answer can refer only to females)