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

For the back end of the Falcons’ defense, there is no greater priority, no bigger idol, than the ball. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

He was also asked about being one of Hollywood’s last movie stars, and Clooney swiftly brought up two of his idols and good friends, Gregory Peck and Paul Newman. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026

He was also dressed as his idol, a true-to-life cosplay that his father, Steve, said he's done for three consecutive Halloweens. — Brian Bull, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

Few character intros in movie history are better than Indiana Jones snagging that golden idol before being promptly chased by a giant boulder and a tribe of blowdart-wielding warriors. — Frank Deruggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 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
• bactericidal
• insecticidal

Kids Definition

idol

noun

ˈid-ᵊl 

1

: an image worshipped as a god

2

: a greatly loved and admired person or thing