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

In the midst of it all, young children decked out in Algerian gear hemmed and hawed at their idols. —Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Home Improvement helped turn Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who played middle child Randy Taylor, into one of the '90s biggest teen idols. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026

Fernandes considers his compatriot and namesake Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United as one of his idols. —Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 4 June 2026

The woman's phone is encased in an undulating rubbery glitter sculpture with tiny portraits of K-pop idols suspended inside. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 3 June 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