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

Kim plays Choi Si-yeol, a beloved member of the idol group A-One. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Being a K-pop idol comes with enduring long and exhausting practices, filming sessions and performances, but members also found new sources of strength within each other. —Sara Smith, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025

When Kansas City lit up in orange, Swift fans hailed Kansas City for its strong civic support of their music idol. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2025

Never meet your idols is a common phrase about your celebrity role models. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 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