idol

American  

[ahyd-l] / ˈaɪd l /

noun

idols plural

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:

   pet, darling, bookmark

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.

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idol British  

/ ˈaɪdəl /

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

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Usage

What does idol 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.

Synonym Usage

See image.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• idols
  plural

Etymology

Origin of idol

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English from Late Latin īdōlum from Greek eídōlon “image, idol,” derivative of eîdos “shape, form”

Explanation

An idol can be a religious image or a person who people admire and maybe even seem to worship. A statue of a Hindu god is a religious idol, but Madame Curie is an idol to aspiring scientists. The word idol comes from the Old French idole for "pagan god," through the Greek eidolon for “reflection in water or a mirror.” In religion, an idol isn’t the real deity but a representation of it. These days, rock stars and celebrities are idols, but so are scientists and writers. If you say Flannery O’ Connor is your idol, you don’t mean you bow down before a statue of the Southern writer, it just means you admire her big time.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

idol idols

She performed with Nureyev for Queen Elizabeth II. A personal highlight was dancing alongside her idol, Margot Fonteyn, who she had first seen perform as a wide-eyed 20-year-old in New York.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The Bay City Rollers are a Scottish pop rock band known for their worldwide teen idol popularity in the 1970s.

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Some followers descended on New York in hopes of catching a glimpse of their idol, with the star-studded event that some commentators dubbed a "royal wedding."

From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026

But neither those measures nor Friday’s sizzling temperatures stopped fans from gathering in hopes of sneaking a peak at their longtime idol and sending Swift their well wishes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026

We practiced the splits, and bending backward, the high-stepping strut, and I saw myself a sequined princess leading orchestras across a football field, the idol of cheering fans.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Since the pop culture festival began in 1970, it has grown into a major event, with thousands of sometimes-costumed fans gathering in San Diego to buy memorabilia, see their idols and celebrate beloved stories.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

The childhood sports idols for my generation of cousins were Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela and boxing champ Julio César Chávez, not Mexican soccer legends Hugo Sánchez and Jorge Campos.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Their idols have become their guests: Clarkson talked about starting antidepressants while going through a divorce.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

Universe conditioned us to worship such false idols, portraying wealthy, aristocratic heroes as our greatest defense against alien threats and vigilantes working beyond the reach of the law as the true keepers of justice.

From Salon ● May 24, 2026

Daisy and Jordan lay upon an enormous couch, like silver idols, weighing down their own white dresses against the singing breeze of the fans.

From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Related Words

• deity
• god
• goddess
• graven image
• icon
• image
• simulacrum