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 a disastrous incident turns the public against superheroes, the government creates a superhuman registration act that causes a deep rift among Avengers and other do-gooders along ideological lines. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 8 July 2026

But smart casting, witty writing, lively directing, and artful character development have also yielded the rare superhero riff that, as Kovak puts it, finds the human underneath. — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026

Disneyland horticulture area manager Brandon Elrod said the Hero Trees are superheroes just like Iron Man, Spider-Man and Groot. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026

In April, Marvel laid off the bulk of its visual-development department, a group consisting of seasoned concept artists who helped turn the studio’s comic-book superheroes into movie stars. — Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 July 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