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

The show, inspired by the real-life musical family the Cowsills, quickly became a hit and launched star David Cassidy into the teen idol stratosphere. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 25 Sep. 2025

Lots of people in lots of different positions go idol hunting. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2025

Thrust into the spotlight at an early age, Cassidy — who played lead singer Keith on the show — became an instant heartthrob and teen idol. —Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025

My boyhood idols Howard Stern and David Letterman were very considerate and kind. —Luciana Lopez, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 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