Hero vs. Villain — What's the Difference?

Champion of causes.

Antagonistic figure.

Brave protagonist.

Complex antagonist.

Exemplar of virtues.

Master of deceit.

Self-sacrificing character.

Embodiment of evil.

Inspirational figure.

Pursuer of selfish goals.

A hero (heroine in its feminine form) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly solely gender-specific terms (like actor), hero is often used to refer to any gender, though heroine only refers to women.

A villain (also known as a "black hat" or "bad guy"; the feminine form is villainess) is a stock character, whether based on a historical narrative or one of literary fiction. Random House Unabridged Dictionary defines such a character as "a cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime; scoundrel; or a character in a play, novel, or the like, who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot".

A priestess of Aphrodite beloved by Leander.

(in a film, novel, or play) a character whose evil actions or motives are important to the plot

A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed one's life

Variant spelling of villein

A person noted for special achievement in a particular field

A wicked or evil person; a scoundrel.

The principal character in a novel, poem, or dramatic presentation.

A dramatic or fictional character who is typically at odds with the hero.

In mythology and legend, an individual, often a man of divine ancestry, who is endowed with great courage and strength, celebrated for bold exploits, and favored by the gods.

(also vĭlān′, vĭ-lān) Variant of villein.

See submarine sandwich.

Something said to be the cause of particular trouble or an evil

Somebody who possesses great bravery and carries out extraordinary or noble deeds.

(Obsolete) A peasant regarded as vile and brutish.

A role model.

A vile, wicked person.

The protagonist in a work of fiction.

An extremely depraved person, or one capable or guilty of great crimes.

(poker) The current player, especially an hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: any opponent player. Not to be confused with a weak call against a supposed bluff.

A deliberate scoundrel.

(US) A large sandwich made from meats and cheeses; a hero sandwich.

A low-born, abject person.

The product chosen from several candidates to be photographed, as in food advertising, or with props used in a movie.

In fiction, a character who has the role of being bad, especially antagonizing the hero.

(web design) The eye-catching top portion of a web page, sometimes including a hero image; the portion above the fold.

(poker) Any opponent player, especially a hypothetical player for example and didactic purposes. Compare: the current player.

An illustrious man, supposed to be exalted, after death, to a place among the gods; a demigod, as Hercules.

Archaic form of villein

A man of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger, or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.

To debase; to degrade.

The principal personage in a poem, story, and the like, or the person who has the principal share in the transactions related; as Achilles in the Iliad, Ulysses in the Odyssey, and Æneas in the Æneid.

One who holds lands by a base, or servile, tenure, or in villenage; a feudal tenant of the lowest class, a bondman or servant.

A man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength;

A baseborn or clownish person; a boor.

The principal character in a play or movie or novel or poem

A vile, wicked person; a man extremely depraved, and capable or guilty of great crimes; a deliberate scoundrel; a knave; a rascal; a scamp.

Someone who fights for a cause

Villainous.

Greek mathematician and inventor who devised a way to determine the area of a triangle and who described various mechanical devices (first century)

To debase; to degrade.

(classical mythology) a being of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits; often the offspring of a mortal and a god

A wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

(Greek mythology) priestess of Aphrodite who killed herself when her lover Leander drowned while trying to swim the Hellespont to see her

The principle bad character in a film or work of fiction

A large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States

Villains provide necessary conflict and challenge the hero, making the story compelling and dynamic.

A hero is defined by their moral character, courageous actions, and the pursuit of justice.

No, they can also be entities, organizations, or even abstract forces in some narratives.

Yes, through redemption arcs where they show significant moral growth or change.

A great villain has depth, understandable motives, and presents a real challenge to the hero.

Traits like altruism, resilience, and integrity are common in heroes.

Cultural portrayals vary, but heroes generally embody local values and ideals.

Villains often catalyze the hero’s growth by testing their values and resolve.

Yes, stories can feature multiple heroes and villains, adding complexity and breadth to the narrative.

Heroes often inspire real-life actions and attitudes, promoting values like bravery and justice.

A tragic hero is a protagonist who typically faces downfall due to a critical error or inherent flaw.