A superhero is a character in comics, films, and stories who has powers ordinary people do not — flying, great strength, speed — and uses them to protect others. Superman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman are the classic examples. The word says two things at once, and students often notice only the first: powers, yes, but also the choice to help. A powerful character who harms people is a supervillain, not a superhero. Note that the word is used for women too; 'superheroine' exists but sounds old-fashioned now, and most writers use superhero for anyone. Outside stories, people use it warmly and loosely for someone who does something extraordinary for others — 'nurses were the superheroes of that year'. That figurative use is affectionate but can be double-edged: calling overworked people superheroes is sometimes a way of avoiding paying them properly. It is also very common as an adjective before a noun: a superhero movie, superhero costume.