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idol

noun
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\ ˈī-dᵊl How to pronounce idol (audio) \

Definition of idol

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
3a : 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
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Synonyms for idol

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Examples of idol in a Sentence

an actor who is the idol of millions a movie idol whose reprehensible offscreen behavior caused him to experience a spectacular fall from grace
Recent Examples on the Web Tanner dismisses his age as a prohibiting factor, saying Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr, his idol, are fighting this month. — Mike Hutton, chicagotribune.com, "Hutton: Charles ‘Duke’ Tanner’s dream of a title bout ended when he went to prison. Granted clemency, he’s determined to fight again.," 13 Nov. 2020 The kid who spent the previous day sobbing when his basketball idol died in a helicopter crash. — Star Tribune, "Austin’s true colors," 23 Feb. 2020 Both malls will use a large picture frame to keep kids away from their idol. — oregonlive, "You’ll have to enjoy Santa from a distance at Portland malls this holiday season, thanks to coronavirus," 29 Oct. 2020 In the early 2000s, the pianist Farid Barron read that his idol John Coltrane had once received a papyrus from Sun Ra that was said to stop time. — Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, "Earth Couldn’t Contain Sun Ra’s Ideas. His Arkestra Is Still Exploring Them.," 27 Oct. 2020 The former One Direction member first met his idol in London at a Fleetwood Mac show that happened to fall on her birthday. — Keaton Bell, Vogue, "Stevie Nicks Just Wants to Keep Telling Stories," 20 Oct. 2020 Rather, that fell to an ex-teen idol from Houston, who found himself at the right place at the right time to become America's first-ever reggae crossover star. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, "Forever No. 1: Johnny Nash's 'I Can See Clearly Now'," 7 Oct. 2020 Fans, clearly, would be thrilled to learn more about what’s been going on with their idol. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Why the ‘Free Britney’ Saga Feels So Familiar," 6 Oct. 2020 As a bookish, brunette teenager, Rory Gilmore was my idol. — Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, "'Gilmore Girls' turns 20: What I learned re-watching the beloved series as an adult," 5 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'idol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of idol

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for idol

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

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Time Traveler for idol

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The first known use of idol was in the 13th century

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Statistics for idol

Last Updated

6 Dec 2020

Cite this Entry

“Idol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idol. Accessed 14 Dec. 2020.

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More Definitions for idol

idol

noun
How to pronounce idol (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of idol

: a greatly loved or admired person
: a picture or object that is worshipped as a god

See the full definition for idol in the English Language Learners Dictionary

idol

noun
\ ˈī-dᵊl How to pronounce idol (audio) \

Kids Definition of idol

1 : an image worshipped as a god
2 : a much loved or admired person or thing a movie idol

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More from Merriam-Webster on idol

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for idol

Nglish: Translation of idol for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of idol for Arabic Speakers

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