superhero

noun

su·​per·​he·​ro ˈsü-pər-ˌhir-(ˌ)ō 

-ˌhē-(ˌ)rō

plural superheroes

: a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers

also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person compare superheroine, supervillain

Examples of superhero in a Sentence

The people who do this dangerous work are real-life superheroes who deserve our gratitude.

Recent Examples on the Web

After that horrible 2011 stab at the scifi superhero with Ryan Reynolds in it, Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) returns in a more somber but certainly enjoyable eight-episode series on HBO. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

The full list of content includes Fox’s first two X-Men films, both of which precede the MCU and helped usher in the superhero wave, while the rest are official Marvel films and series. — Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

But maturing onscreen — and the endless scrutiny that came with it — led to lifelong self-esteem issues, especially after she was cast as the superhero cheerleader Claire Bennett on Heroes at 17 in 2006. — Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

In a short amount of time Calle has built a career that has run the Hollywood gamut, from soap operas (Young and the Restless) to superheroes (DC’s The Flash) to festival indies (On Swift Horses). — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for superhero

• biro
• spiro
• zero
• subzero

Kids Definition

superhero

noun

su·​per·​he·​ro

ˈsü-per-ˌhē-rō, 

-ˌhi(ə)r-ō

: a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers

also : a very successful person