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

These shows typically feature a group of trainees who compete for a chance to debut in an idol group. —Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026

In other words, the immunity idol won’t be unobtrusively hidden somewhere. —Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

Former teen idol Donny Osmond is known for breaking hearts, not heads. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026

Everyone who finds the idol can enter a drawing for the grand prize of attending the season 50 live reunion in Los Angeles in May. —Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 18 Feb. 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