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

Example Sentences

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

Matías Villarruel, a soccer fan from Argentina, has one dream: to cheer his idol Lionel Messi in the star’s final men’s World Cup competition, which starts Sunday in Qatar. Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Nov. 2022

Christian Nodal brings his mariacheño swagger to the stage and honors his idol. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2022

When they were stopped at a red light, Masihzadeh began recounting what had happened, saying that Farhadi was her idol. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2022

Even Moses’s underlings have begun to kick at their idol’s feet of clay. Charles Isherwood, WSJ, 27 Oct. 2022

So instead, this profoundly moving movie covers a different kind of success, as a great musician takes pains to make sure her idol receives some proper respect — the only currency that always matters. Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2022

Cain said the game pitted him against his basketball idol in Durant. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 Oct. 2022

While Gabler was out there NOT losing the Hawaiian sling, the tribe started wondering about his immunity idol. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Sep. 2022

That parasociality is finally shattered when Als is sent to interview his idol during Prince’s 2004 Musicology tour. Sophia Stewart, The Atlantic, 25 Sep. 2022

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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

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing idol

• fallen idol
• matinee idol

• fallen idol
• matinee idol

Kids Definition

idol

noun

ˈid-ᵊl 

1

: an image worshipped as a god

2

: a greatly loved and admired person or thing