Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort: Describing behavior that is exceptionally brave, often in the face of great danger or as a final, desperate effort.
   • Of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope: Characterizing actions or endeavors that are grand, monumental, or of great magnitude.
   • Having or displaying qualities appropriate for heroes: Possessing the admirable characteristics, such as bravery, nobility, and determination, typically associated with heroes.
   • Relating to or characteristic of heroes of antiquity: Pertaining to the heroes, legends, or age of ancient times, especially in classical epics.
   • Very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale): Describing something that is extraordinarily large, grand, or magnificent.

2. Noun:

   • A verse form suited to the treatment of heroic or elevated themes; dactylic hexameter or iambic pentameter: In literature, a specific metrical form used for epic poetry, such as the dactylic hexameter in Greek and Latin epics or iambic pentameter in English heroic verse.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The firefighters made a heroic effort to save everyone from the burning building.
  • The company embarked on a heroic project to rebuild the entire infrastructure.
  • She showed heroic patience while caring for her sick relative.
  • We studied the heroic legends of ancient Greece.
  • The artist created a heroic statue that dominated the town square.

• Noun:

  • Milton's "Paradise Lost" is written in heroic verse.

Advanced Usage

• "Heroic couplet": A pair of rhyming iambic pentameter lines, a common form in English epic and narrative poetry.

  • Alexander Pope often used the heroic couplet in his translations of Homer.

• "Heroic age": A period in a culture's history or mythology believed to be populated by demigods and heroes.

  • Many myths are set in the heroic age of a civilization.

• "Heroic measure(s)": An extreme or drastic action taken in a desperate situation, especially in medicine.

  • The doctors took heroic measures to stabilize the patient.

Variants and Related Words

• Heroically (adverb): In a heroic manner.

  • He fought heroically against the invaders.

• Heroism (noun): Heroic conduct or qualities.

  • The soldier was awarded a medal for his heroism.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Brave, courageous, valiant, gallant, daring, epic, grand, monumental, colossal.
• Noun: Epic verse, heroic meter.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Cowardly, timid, ordinary, modest, unimpressive.

Related Phrases

• "Heroic dose" (informal, in specific contexts like psychology): A very large dose of a psychedelic substance.

  • The term was popularized by Terence McKenna in discussions about psilocybin mushrooms.

• "Heroic failure": A failure that occurs despite a brave and admirable effort.

  • The expedition was a heroic failure, turning back just miles from the summit.

Idioms

• "Go all heroic on someone" (informal): To react with exaggerated bravery or drama.

  • Don't go all heroic on me; we just need to fix a flat tire.

• "In the heroic mold": Having the qualities or characteristics of a traditional hero.

  • The leader was cast in the heroic mold, inspiring great loyalty.

Adjective

1. showing extreme courage; especially of actions courageously undertaken in desperation as a last resort
   • made a last desperate attempt to reach the climber
   • the desperate gallantry of our naval task forces marked the turning point in the Pacific war- G.C.Marshall
   • they took heroic measures to save his life
2. of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
   • an expansive lifestyle
   • in the grand manner
   • collecting on a grand scale
   • heroic undertakings
3. having or displaying qualities appropriate for heroes
   • the heroic attack on the beaches of Normandy
   • heroic explorers
4. relating to or characteristic of heroes of antiquity
   • heroic legends
   • the heroic age
5. very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)
   • an epic voyage
   • of heroic proportions
   • heroic sculpture

Noun

1. a verse form suited to the treatment of heroic or elevated themes; dactylic hexameter or iambic pentameter