idol

noun

ˈī-dᵊl 

1

: an object of extreme devotion

a movie idol

also : ideal sense 2

2

: a representation or symbol of an object of worship

broadly : a false god

3

a

: a likeness of something

b

obsolete : pretender, impostor

4

: a false conception : fallacy

5

: a form or appearance visible but without substance

… an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol …

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

Synonyms of idol

• hero

Examples of idol in a Sentence

an actor who is the idol of millions

a movie star whose portrayal of a comic book superhero in a blockbuster series has made him the idol of millions

Recent Examples on the Web

Minna is rich and pretty; Flic, her follower, is a scholarship student who mimics everything her idol does a millisecond later. —Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026

Busch, six years older than his younger brother Kyle, was captivated by the brotherly aspect of the Hall of Fame, which features his idol growing up, and will soon feature his younger brother. —Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2026

My personal icon, idol, and heroine was Posh Spice, aka Victoria Beckham. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 21 Jan. 2026

Back then, Hannelius probably could’ve tried to sign with Disney’s Hollywood Records like Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff and many more teen idols before her. —Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French idle, from Late Latin idolum, from Greek eidōlon image, idol; akin to Greek eidos form — more at idyll

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing idol

• fallen idol
• matinee idol

Rhymes for idol

• bridal
• bridle
• idle
• idyll
• seidel
• sidle
• tidal
• widal
• apsidal
• subtidal
• fratricidal
• fungicidal

Kids Definition

idol

noun

ˈid-ᵊl 

1

: an image worshipped as a god

2

: a greatly loved and admired person or thing