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

Iverson’s complicated relationship with Michael Jordan ran deep — Jordan was both an idol and the standard. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 9 Oct. 2025

Attacked by an unhinged fan, quarterback Cameron Cade receives a lifeline when his football idol, Isaiah White, offers to train him. —Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Fans decked out in style of their idol Chappell Roan crowded in to be some of the first to get onto the National WWI Museum and Memorial grounds to see the first of the pop superstar’s two concerts there. —Emily Curiel, Kansas City Star, 4 Oct. 2025

Taylor knows that even after all this battle, Olivia still loves her idol’s music — taunting her with her complicated devotion. —Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 3 Oct. 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