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 idolPercy Bysshe Shelley

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After Sage Ahrens-Nichols and Jawan Pitts flipped away from original Uli, Nate was vulnerable once the new coalition believed there was no way Rizo Velovic would ever play his immunity idol for the Rad Dad so decided to load all of their votes on the unsuspecting victim. Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025 Set in Los Angeles, the film will chart how a single crime weaves together the lives of a TV host, his restless wife, a country music idol, two small-time crooks and an ex-con, all of whom are chasing the promise of a better life. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025 Perfect Blue follows a former J-pop idol turned actress who gets a stalker and begins to lose her mind in the process. Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025 She's hit a few career highlights already, like performing with her idol David Blaine and working with Complex to host her own YouTube show. Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for idol

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of idol was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Idol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idol. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

idol

noun
1
: an image worshipped as a god
2
: a greatly loved and admired person or thing

More from Merriam-Webster on idol

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