HER-oh-iz-uhm
/ˈhɛɹoʊˌɪzəm/
heroism is pronounced HER-oh-iz-uhm (/ˈhɛɹoʊˌɪzəm/). Heroism denotes qualities of courage, self-sacrifice, and noble conduct in the face of danger. It refers to actions that demonstrate bravery for the benefit of others, often under difficult or life-threatening conditions. The term emphasizes admirable moral character and intentional risk-taking in service of a greater good.
Heroism denotes qualities of courage, self-sacrifice, and noble conduct in the face of danger. It refers to actions that demonstrate bravery for the benefit of others, often under difficult or life-threatening conditions. The term emphasizes admirable moral character and intentional risk-taking in service of a greater good.
"Her heroism during the rescue earned her national recognition."
"The book celebrates ordinary people whose heroism changed the course of events."
"There is a line between daring and recklessness, but his heroism remained steadfast."
Pronounce as HEE-ROH-iz-uhm with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA US: /ˈhɪroʊˌɪzəm/; UK/AU: /ˈhɪərˌiːz(ə)m/ depending on speaker. Break it into two parts: hero- is with a short i-vowel and a long o in some accents, followed by -ism with a light schwa and /z/ or /s/ depending on voice. You’ll feel the mouth start with a light smile for the initial /h/, then a quick /ɪ/ or /ɪə/ transition into /roʊ/ or /rə/. The second syllable is unstressed: -i-zəm.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing stress, saying he-ROH-iz-um; (2) Slurring the -ism into -hism or -ism with too strong a /z/. Correct by keeping the -ism light and reducing the vowel to a schwa in unstressed position. Also avoid pronouncing the /r/ as in non-rhotic British accents when you aim for US: make /r/ pronounced only in rhotic accents; (3) Muddling the transition between /ro/ and /ɪ/; practice a quick move from /roʊ/ to /ɪ/ without delaying. Use a slow-repetition drill to fix tempo.
US English tends to have rhotic /r/; initial syllable /ˈhɪroʊ/ with a pronounced /roʊ/; second syllable reduced to /-ɪzəm/ or /-ɪzəm/. UK and AU often reduce the final vowel more, producing /ˈhɪərəˌɪz(ə)m/ in some speakers, with a less pronounced rhotic /r/ or a slightly longer central vowel in the second syllable; the -ism ending often realized as /-ɪz(ə)m/. Overall, contrast: US /ˈhɪroʊˌɪzəm/ vs UK /ˈhɪərəˌɪz(ə)m/.
Difficulties stem from the two-morpheme structure with a short initial vowel plus a longer -ro- syllable and a clipped, unstressed -is(m) ending. The /roʊ/ vs /rə/ treatment can trip learners who expect a long first syllable; the sequence /roʊɪ/ or /rəɪ/ can blur when transitioning from the stressed first syllable to -ɪzəm/. Also, the -ism ending can be reduced to a weak schwa; focus on keeping a clean /z/ or /s/ voice in the final consonant.
Does the -ism suffix carry syllabic stress in some uses? Generally, stress remains on the first syllable (hero-), with the -ism portion unstressed. In rapid speech, the -ɪzəm/ may sound like -ɪzəm with a very light /z/ or even /s/ depending on speaker and liaison effects. Paying attention to the place where the voice glides from /roʊ/ or /rə/ into /ɪzəm/ can help you maintain clarity.
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Heroism comes from the French heroisme, which itself derives from the Late Latin herōismus, stemming from herō, meaning ‘a man of outstanding courage’ (akin to Greek hērōs, hero). The suffix -ism marks a quality or condition. In Early Modern English, heroism was used to describe exemplary deeds or the status of a hero, often in relation to legends and military feats. Over time, the word broadened to encompass everyday acts of moral courage and self-sacrificial behavior, not just martial prowess. First known printed uses appear in 16th–17th century writings praising notable figures, though the concept of heroic conduct predates the term, evidenced in ancient chronicles and epic literature. In contemporary usage, heroism can refer to courageous acts in emergencies, public service, or ethical stands that protect vulnerable populations. The word carries connotations of nobility, altruism, and resilience, and is commonly co-occur with phrases like “acts of heroism,” “heroic sacrifice,” and “mundane heroism” in both journalism and scholarship.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "heroism" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "heroism" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "heroism"
-ism sounds
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