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superhero

Etymology and origin of the English word superhero

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1899
Ultimate origin
English (super-,hero)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈs(j)upɚhɪɹoʊ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is from English super- + hero.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

1908, in a translation of Nietzsche, in Etymonline;[2] Merriam-Webster dates it to 1899.[3]

Semantic evolution

It was used in 1930 of Tarzan,[2] and the modern sense, a comic-book character with superhuman powers who fights evil, dates from the 1960s.[2][5]

Timeline

  • 1899 – superhero (Merriam-Webster).[3]
  • 1908 – in a translation of Nietzsche.[2]
  • 1930 – of Tarzan.[2]
  • 1960s – the comic-book superhero.[2]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A fictional character, especially in comics or films, with superhuman powers who fights evil or crime.
  • superbeing
  • superheroic
  • superheroine
  • superhuman
  • superman
  • superpower
  • hero
  • super-

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ The Chambers Dictionary (2008), 11th ed., Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap
  5. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
Cite this entry

“Superhero.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/superhero. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·