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

South by Southwest London, which runs June 1-6, has unveiled its full music program, with special guests added to the lineup including K-Pop idol Yunjin, Italian pop superstar Gaia, Dallas rap collective Cure for Paranoia, and spoken-word and hip-hop fusion musician BrokenPen. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026

Now, everyone is gunning for Rick but scared of his idol. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2026

Developed and directed by Alex Timbers, the immersive musical transforms the theater into a swinging nightclub, where Jordan plays a version of himself telling the story of Darin's meteoric rise from teen idol to global sensation. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026

Cecilio Waterman celebrated his stoppage-time winner by running to Thierry Henry, who was there as a TV pundit, hugging him and telling him Henry was his idol. —Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 22 Apr. 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