idolatry

[ahy-dol-uh-tree]

noun

plural

idolatries 

1. the religious worship of idols.

2. excessive or blind adoration, reverence, devotion, etc.

   Synonyms: mania, madness, obsession

idolatry

/ aɪˈdɒlətrɪ /

noun

1. the worship of idols

2. great devotion or reverence

Other Word Forms

• self-idolatry noun
• idolater noun
• idolatrous adjective
• idolatrously adverb
• idolatrousness noun
• idolatress noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of idolatry¹

1200–50; Middle English idolatrie < Medieval Latin īdōlatrīa, by haplology from Late Latin īdōlolatrīa Greek (NT) eidōlolatreía. See idol, -latry

Example Sentences

“You can call it Christian fascism or Christian nationalism. Essentially, it’s the worship of power, in the name of Christ. And that is idolatry in its purest form.”

From Salon

The mainstream media has questioned none of the idolatry surrounding Trump since the assassination attempt.

From Salon

But by definition, his behavior is blasphemous and an example of idolatry.

From Salon

The will-to-believe that we find in some of these followers is a classic precursor to idolatry.

From Salon

A pagan deity is linked to “power, worldly success and idolatry of consumerism,” the pope said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• adulation 

When To Use

What does idolatry mean?

Idolatry is the worship of an idol or idols—objects or images, such as statues, that are worshipped as the representations of deities or gods.The word idol can also refer to the deity or god that is being worshipped.Idolatry is sometimes called idol worship and the people who worship idols can be called idolaters. The adjective idolatrous can be used to describe idolaters or their practices.This sense of idolatry 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 idolatry is wrong or sinful. In this way, an idol is sometimes called a false idol.A well-known example of idolatry mentioned in a story in the Bible involves a statue of a golden calf that the Israelites were said to have made while Moses was away receiving the Ten Commandments (which prohibit idolatry and the worship of “graven images”).Sometimes, idol is used in a metaphorical way to compare something to an object of religious devotion and worship, and such devotion can also be called idolatry, as in The endless pursuit of wealth is a form of idolatry. 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 word idolatry can be used to refer to this kind of fandom, but it is much more commonly used in a religious context.Example: Most people don’t bow down before statues, but they engage in other forms of idolatry, like an obsession with material possessions.