Definition

an object of extreme devotion //a movie idol
also ideal sense 2
a representation or symbol of an object of worship
broadly a false god
a likeness of something
obsolete pretender, impostor
a false conception fallacy
a form or appearance visible but without substance //… an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol … — Percy Bysshe Shelley

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//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

First Known Use

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French idle, from Late Latin idolum, from Greek eidōlon image, idol; akin to Greek eidos form — more at idyll

idol

noun

Synonyms

idol

noun

ˈī-dᵊl

an object of extreme devotion //a movie idol
also ideal sense 2
a representation or symbol of an object of worship
broadly a false god
a likeness of something
obsolete pretender, impostor
a false conception fallacy
a form or appearance visible but without substance //… an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol … — Percy Bysshe Shelley

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Examples

//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

First Known Use

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French idle, from Late Latin idolum, from Greek eidōlon image, idol; akin to Greek eidos form — more at idyll

idol

noun