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

The life of teen idol Bobby Darin In: Vietnam David Martin David Martin has been CBS News' national security correspondent, covering the Pentagon and the State Department, since 1993. —David Martin, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2025

After independence, locals placed Hindu idols inside the mosque and became convinced that it had been built on the former site of a Hindu temple. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

The 6-year-old with a deep love for Taylor Swift never had the chance to see her idol perform. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Langlois’ choice of narrative frame to tell the tale of the torrid romance between teen pop idol Mimi (Louiza Aura) and punk icon Billie Kohler (Gio Ventura) immediately announces what kind of glittering confection his film aspires to be. —Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 25 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