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

Eva Erickson had idol and advantage procurements to show off. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 22 May 2025

Read more American idol What Time Is the 'American Idol' 2025 Finale Tonight? —Tahar Rajab, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025

The British pop star and former teen idol, who died at age 31 after falling off a hotel balcony, reportedly did not have a will. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 May 2025

The pink-haired star from Colombia is pulling inspiration from one of her idols, Taylor Swift, and turning her own personal stories of love and heartbreak into anthems with her debut album Preguntas a Las 11:11, which comes out on May 9. —Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 6 May 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