Definition

The qualities or actions of a person who shows great courage and bravery, especially in difficult situations.

Example

The firefighter's heroism was evident when he rescued the family from the burning building.

Conversation

Did you hear about the firefighter's heroism during the rescue?

Yeah, it was incredible how brave he was.

I know! That kind of heroism really inspires me to be better.

Absolutely, it shows what true courage looks like.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Heroism → It is formed from "hero" (from Greek "heros", meaning a person of great courage or noble qualities) and "-ism" (a suffix used to form nouns indicating a state or condition). The word "heroism" refers to the state or condition of being a hero, characterized by bravery and noble actions.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'hero' as someone who shows great courage, and the '-ism' indicates a state of being. This helps you remember that 'heroism' is the state of being a hero.

Visually Confused Words