Heroism
/ˈhɪroʊɪzəm/
Definitions
Exceptional courage and bravery, especially in the face of danger or hardship.
/ˈhɪroʊɪzəm/
The quality of being a hero; exceptional courage or bravery, especially in the face of danger.
Her quick thinking and bravery were examples of true heroism.
💡 Simply: Heroism is when someone does something really brave, like saving someone from a fire or standing up to bullies. It's about being courageous even when things are scary.
👶 For kids: Being super brave and doing good things, like a superhero!
More Examples
The firefighters' heroism was evident as they battled the raging inferno.
The story is full of examples of human heroism in the face of adversity.
How It's Used
"The soldier's heroism during the battle earned him the Medal of Honor."
"The novel celebrated the heroism of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances."
"Firefighters displayed remarkable heroism in rescuing people from the burning building."
Idioms & expressions
act of heroism
A single instance of heroic action or deed.
"His selfless act of heroism saved many lives."
display heroism
To show or exhibit heroic qualities or actions.
"The rescue team displayed remarkable heroism during the earthquake."
From Greek *hērōs* ('hero') + suffix '-ism' (denoting a quality, state, or doctrine). The word entered English in the 17th century, initially referring to the qualities of a hero in classical literature.
The term 'heroism' gained prominence during the Romantic era, reflecting a renewed interest in individual acts of courage and self-sacrifice. It was often associated with the ideals of national service and personal virtue.
Memory tip
Think of a hero's actions: they demonstrate bravery (her-o-ism).
Practice
Word Origin
Suffix: -ism