veritable hero

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "veritable hero" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the authenticity or true nature of someone's heroic qualities or actions. Example: "In the face of adversity, she proved to be a veritable hero, saving countless lives during the disaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

He would face a tough opponent -- on paper, at least -- in Mr. Kean, the son of an enormously popular two-term governor and veritable American hero since his role as chairman of the 9/11 Commission.

The New York Times

It is hard not to see the whole thing as a publicity stunt using the name of an artistic hero — a veritable saint of the avant-garde — to advertise the New York arrival of Hauser & Wirth, one of the richest purveyors of contemporary art.

The New York Times - Arts

The Spartans become heroes and veritable legends; in order to maintain public confidence that the war is going well, Spartans are never listed as killed, only as Missing in Action or Wounded in Action.

Wikipedia

Over the next four days, every single music venue in the neighborhood will be packed with back-to-back sets by UK superstars like Pete Tong and John Digweed, heavy bass gods like Skream and Sinden, and a veritable buffet of underground heroes both old and new, including DJ Sliink, Oneohtrix Point Never, xxxy, and Actress.

Vice

Eight chapters then celebrate a veritable Kunstkammer of male media heroes and machines, many of whom will be familiar to historians of science and technology.

Johns Hopkins University

Except Ravel's is a veritable toybox of musical delights, his hero a child who momentarily helps an injured squirrel in a drama lasting barely 50 minutes and with an apotheosis that contains all of two notes, sounded once.

The Guardian - Music

Granted, I don't exactly see Modern Warfare 2 or Left 4 Dead 2, but I do spy veritable hits like GTA IV and Guitar Hero World Tour and Lego Batman and TNA Impact.

TechCrunch

These constitute a veritable system, in which every major god or hero possesses a variety of epithets from which the choice is made solely according to how much of the verse, and which part of it, the singer desires to use up.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Given that the average ransom per vessel amounts to about $2m, it is hardly surprising that the port of Eyl, one of the major pirate lairs, has witnessed a veritable boom, with pirates feted by many as local heroes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then kick back and relax while Mr. Trump invites a veritable who's who of washed-up 80's action heroes, Scott Baio and politically toxic windbags for his favorite segment, "Locker Room Talk".

Huffington Post

Greek aristocratic communities, the ruling elite, traced their lineages back to the heroes of epic poetry; thus the Catalogue, a veritable "map of the Hellenic world in genealogical terms," preserves much information about a complex system of kinship associations and hierarchies that continued to have political importance long after the Archaic period.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While accurate, "veritable hero" can sound somewhat elevated or literary, so ensure it fits the overall style of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "veritable hero" in casual or informal settings. Its somewhat formal tone can sound out of place and even comical if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veritable hero" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. The adjective "veritable" modifies the noun "hero", emphasizing the authenticity and genuineness of the heroic qualities. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

21%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "veritable hero" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that emphasizes the genuine nature of someone's heroic qualities. Ludwig AI confirms this. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's best suited for contexts where a slightly elevated or formal tone is appropriate. Alternatives such as "true hero" or "genuine hero" may be preferable in more casual settings. Keep in mind it can sound comical if used inappropriately. Its function is primarily descriptive, expressing admiration and respect for exceptional bravery or selflessness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

true hero

Replaces "veritable" with "true", emphasizing the genuine nature of the heroism.

genuine hero

Substitutes "veritable" with "genuine", highlighting authenticity.

real hero

Uses "real" instead of "veritable", focusing on the reality of the heroic qualities.

complete hero

Replaces "veritable" with "complete", suggesting a fully realized heroic figure.

utter hero

Substitutes "veritable" with "utter", intensifying the degree of heroism.

absolute hero

Uses "absolute" in place of "veritable", emphasizing the totality of the heroic nature.

consummate hero

Replaces "veritable" with "consummate", indicating a high degree of skill and perfection in their heroism.

archetypal hero

Substitutes "veritable" with "archetypal", conveying that the hero embodies classic heroic traits.

paragon of heroism

Replaces the entire phrase with a noun phrase emphasizing the person as the epitome of heroism.

epitome of heroism

Similar to 'paragon of heroism', this phrase presents the person as the perfect example of heroism.

FAQs

What does "veritable hero" mean?

The phrase "veritable hero" means a true or genuine hero. "Veritable" emphasizes that the person truly embodies heroic qualities.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "veritable hero"?

It's appropriate to use "veritable hero" in situations where you want to emphasize the genuine and significant heroic qualities of someone, often in a more formal or literary context. It suggests more than just ordinary bravery.

What can I say instead of "veritable hero"?

You can use alternatives like "true hero", "genuine hero", or "real hero" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "veritable hero" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "veritable hero" isn't as common as simpler alternatives like "true hero" or "genuine hero". Its use adds a slightly elevated or formal tone to your writing.