idol
EYE-dl
Idol (noun) means an object, often a statue or image, worshipped as a god or believed to hold spiritual power. Example: “Travellers once left offerings at the foot of a golden idol in the shrine.”
noun
1
An object, often a statue or image, worshipped as a god or believed to hold spiritual power.
"Travellers once left offerings at the foot of a golden idol in the shrine."
"The museum displays a carved wooden idol from an ancient island culture."
"Archaeologists found a small stone idol in the temple ruins."
"There's a one-eyed yellow idol to the north of Kathmandu, There's a little marble cross below the town; There's a broken-hearted woman tends the grave of Mad Carew, And the Yellow God forever gazes down."
— J. Milton Hayes, The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God (1911)
2
A person who is greatly admired, especially a celebrity or public figure.
"The young footballer's childhood idol was the captain of his local team."
"Many fans see the famous singer as an idol and copy her style."
"The teenager kept a poster of her pop idol on the bedroom wall."
How to use idol
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a worshipped image/object, or a hugely admired celebrity figure.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "idle" (inactive) — same pronunciation, unrelated meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
teen idol
pop idol
worship an idol
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Word forms
- Plural
- idols
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Travellers once left offerings at the foot of a golden _____ in the shrine.
Etymology
From Greek eidolon, "image" or "phantom," from eidos, "form" — the same root that gives us "idea."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “idol” mean?
The word “idol” means an object, often a statue or image, worshipped as a god or believed to hold spiritual power. In plain terms, either a worshipped image/object, or a hugely admired celebrity figure.
How do you pronounce “idol”?
“Idol” is pronounced EYE-dl (/ˈaɪ.dl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “idol” in a sentence?
Here is “idol” used in a sentence: “Archaeologists found a small stone idol in the temple ruins.”
What is another word for “idol”?
Words with a similar meaning to “idol” include pagod and pagoda.
What part of speech is “idol”?
“Idol” is a noun.
Where does the word “idol” come from?
The word “idol” comes from Greek. From Greek eidolon, "image" or "phantom," from eidos, "form" — the same root that gives us "idea.".
Is “idol” a common word?
“Idol” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “idol” have?
“Idol” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an object, often a statue or image, worshipped as a god or believed to hold spiritual power.
What is the difference between an idol and an icon?
An idol is either an image worshipped as a god or a person who is intensely admired. An icon is a widely recognised symbol or representative figure; a person can be both, but 'icon' stresses symbolic status while 'idol' stresses devotion or adoration.
What is the difference between an idol and a role model?
An idol is someone greatly admired, often with strong emotional devotion, such as a celebrity or performer. A role model is someone whose behaviour you consciously try to imitate, so the emphasis falls on guidance and example rather than adoration.
How is 'idol' used in a religious context?
In religion, an idol is an object, often a statue or image, that is worshipped as a god or believed to hold spiritual power. Many faiths use the word critically to describe worship directed at a physical object rather than the divine itself.
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