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

• god
• hero
• icon
• ikon

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

But the pop superstar also received a nod from one of her idols — the Tapestry songstress herself. —Bailey Richards, People.com, 1 June 2025

The performance would have been the first concert by an all-Korean idol group in mainland China since 2016. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 May 2025

The comparisons with Ronaldo, Mbappe’s idol and Madrid’s all-time record goalscorer with 450 goals, were inevitable. —Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 28 May 2025

With the way the idol industry works, that’s not necessarily uncommon for groups who are that far into their existence. —Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 22 May 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