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

• 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

Before rock 'n' roll gave teenagers their own soundtrack, Frank Sinatra set the template as America's first true teen idol. —Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2025

Bobby Sherman, a singer, actor and teen idol of the late 1960s/early 1970s, died on June 24. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 24 June 2025

Bobby Sherman, one of the top teen idols of late 1960s and early ’70s, died after a battle with kidney cancer, his wife, Brigitte Poublon, announced alongside actor John Stamos in an Instagram post on Tuesday (June 24). —Paul Grein, Billboard, 24 June 2025

The former teen idol had been battling Stage 4 kidney cancer, his wife said in April. —Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 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