heroine

American  

[her-oh-in] / ˈhɛr oʊ ɪn /

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.

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heroine British  

/ 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

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Gender

See hero.

Other Word Forms

• superheroine noun

Etymology

Origin of heroine

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

Example Sentences

“It is a great play because, by the end, Tom Stoppard touches ineffability, just as his heroine touches genius.”

From Los Angeles Times

These days, right, you’re more likely to read about a heroine who’s running a podcast or working at a digital news site.

From Salon

Orchards, wildernesses and bowers abound in her fiction, where her heroines contemplate curated views or scamper across fields and over stiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

And the additional running time also allows for two brand new songs -- one of which, "The Girl in the Bubble," sees Ariana Grande's popular, pink-clad heroine Glinda confront her unlikely dark past.

From Barron's

Douglas Century’s “Crash of the Heavens” brings to life the headstrong, charismatic heroine who was both a fearless warrior and a precocious writer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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