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

—P. B. Shelley

Synonyms

• god
• hero
• icon
• ikon

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

That’s because the advantage up for grabs was a Knowledge is Power… which would have been dramatically amazing for any other player to use it against idol and advantage holding Eva, but what would Eva do with it? —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 May 2025

The area’s vibrant reef attracts a wide array of marine life, including fish like yellow tang and Moorish idols, making the area an easy wade-in snorkeling spot. —Rachel Ng, AFAR Media, 7 May 2025

For the artist, who began his musical journey as a contestant of 2018’s K-pop reality survival show, Under Nineteen, competing against 56 other contestants for a spot in a new K-pop idol group. —Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

My childhood idol, and the indefatigable chronicler of our games (check Partletonsports.com). —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2025

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