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View synonyms for

idol

[ ahyd-l ]

noun

  1. an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
  2. Bible.
    1. an image of a deity other than God.
    2. the deity itself.
  3. any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion:

    Madame Curie had been her childhood idol.

    Synonyms: , ,

  4. a mere image or semblance of something, visible but without substance, as a phantom.
  5. a figment of the mind; fantasy.
  6. a false conception or notion; fallacy.


idol

/ ˈɪə /

noun

  1. a material object, esp a carved image, that is worshipped as a god
  2. Christianity Judaism any being (other than the one God) to which divine honour is paid
  3. a person who is revered, admired, or highly loved
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of idol1

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English from Late Latin īōܳ from Greek íōDz “image, idol,” derivative of îDz “shape, form”
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of idol1

C13: from Late Latin īōܳ, from Latin: image, from Greek 𾱻ōDz, from eidos shape, form
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Synonym Study

See image.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She had announced March 25 on Facebook that the 81-year-old, a teen idol in the 1960s, was very ill.

From

The show, based on a popular 1930s and 40s film series, attracted millions of viewers, turning Chamberlain into a beloved leading man and a teen idol.

From

“Jennie Finch was my idol and I met her at a tournament in Colorado when I was 12 or 13,” Kennedy said.

From

It’s hard to forget the moment you meet your idol — and learn that she is both everything, and nothing, like you expect.

From

The track — which has almost 120 million streams on Spotify alone — was a huge moment for the group as it further showcased its versatility with the unexpected help of K-pop idol G-Dragon.

From

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More About Idol

What doesidol mean?

An idol is an object or image, such as a statue, that is worshipped as the representation of a deity or god.

The word idol can also refer to the deity or god that is being worshipped.

The worship of such an idol is sometimes called idolatry (or idol worship) and the people who do it can be called idolaters. The adjective idolatrous can be used to describe idolaters or their practices.

This sense of idol and its related terms are typically used in a negative, judgmental way, implying that the god that the idol represents is not actually real and that such worship is wrong or sinful. In this way, an idol is sometimes called a false idol.

A well-known example of an idol mentioned in a story in the Bible is the statue of a golden calf that the Israelites were said to have made while Moses was away receiving the Ten Commandments (which prohibit the worship of idols or “graven images”).

Sometimes, idol is used in a metaphorical way to compare something to an object of religious devotion and worship, as in Money has become her idol. This sense of the word is also used in a critical way.

Idol is also commonly used in a figurative way to refer to a person, especially a famous celebrity such as a pop singer, whom someone treats with extreme admiration and devotion. The word sometimes implies that such devotion is excessive, likening it to religious worship. The term teen idol refers to a star who is the subject of such devotion and adoration among teens (teen idols are often young but they may or may not be teens themselves).

To be a fan of someone in this way is to idolize them (or, in more modern terms, to stan them). The words idolatry, idolater, and idolatrous can be used in this context, but they are much more commonly used in a religious context.

Example: The trouble with having idols is that you start to model your behavior on them while ignoring their faults.

Where doesidol come from?

The first records of the word idol come from the 1200s. It comes from the Greek íōDz, meaning “image,” from îDz, meaning “shape and form.”

Although the word idol can refer to a deity being worshipped, it typically refers to a physical object or image that has been made to represent the deity. Some religions prohibit any such likenesses of a deity or religious figure, considering them to be a form of idolatry.

Today, the most common use of the word idol is probably to refer to stars with huge fan bases. The word is used this way in the name of American Idol, a popular singing contest show based on the idea of finding an up-and-coming singer who will become a new superstar.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to idol?

What are some synonyms for idol?

What are some words that share a root or word element with idol?

What are some words that often get used in discussing idol?

What are some words idol may be commonly confused with?

How isidol used in real life?

In a religious context, idol is usually used in a judgmental way. In pop culture, it refers to a star whose fans show an almost religious devotion.

Try usingidol!

Is idol used correctly in the following sentence?

Elvis Presley became a rock-’n-roll idol in the 1950s.

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