idol

noun

ˈī-dᵊl How to pronounce idol (audio)
Synonyms of idolnext
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 …—Percy Bysshe Shelley

Synonyms of idol

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Since then, she’s worked with some of her biggest idols in the culinary world, cooking alongside everyone from Jean-Georges Vongerichten to Masaharu Morimoto, Giada De Laurentiis, and Gordon Ramsay. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026 Another key innovation from this year’s lineup is the Xtep Float, which was seen on C-pop idol Fan Chengcheng. — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026 Jonathan Taylor Thomas, for example, left Home Improvement at the peak of teen-idol mania to focus on his education. — Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026 The story has shifted from idol and idolizer, boss and driver, to competitors racing against each other in sprint cars. — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for idol

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of idol was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing idol

Rhymes for idol

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Browse Nearby Words

idocrase
idol
idolater
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Cite this Entry

“Idol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idol. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

idol

noun
ˈid-ᵊl How to pronounce idol (audio)
1
: an image worshipped as a god
2
: a greatly loved and admired person or thing
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