idol

idol — noun

1. a person — such as a singer, actor, or athlete — who is greatly loved, admired,

1.nounB1
Definition

a person — such as a singer, actor, or athlete — who is greatly loved, admired, and respected by many people, often to the point of being treated as a role model or object of devotion.

Example

As a teenager, Wren had posters of her idol all over her bedroom walls.

collocation: have posters of one's idol

The young singer became the idol of millions of fans across Southeast Asia.

pattern: idol of + [group of people]

Common collocations
  • teen idol
  • pop idol
  • sports idol
  • childhood idol
  • worship the ground one's idol walks on
Synonyms
  • hero

    emphasizes courage, admirable qualities, or achievements — less tied to celebrity culture

  • role model

    focuses on the person's influence and example for others to follow

  • star

    more neutral term for a famous performer; does not carry the same emotional devotion as 'idol'

Grammar Patterns

idol + of + [group/nation/genre]

Usage Note

In modern contexts, this sense almost always refers to celebrities in entertainment or sports. The possessive form 'idol of' is common with groups ('idol of teenagers', 'idol of a generation').

Common Mistakes

My idol is very famous and he has a lot of money.
My idol is a famous singer who inspires me to work hard.
'idol' emphasizes admiration and respect, not just fame or wealth.
She is an idol of me.
She is my idol.
Use the possessive 'my idol' instead of 'idol of me'.

2. a physical object — such as a picture, carved figure, statue, or symbol — that p

2.nounB2
Definition

a physical object — such as a picture, carved figure, statue, or symbol — that people use as a focus for prayer and devotion within their religious or spiritual practice.

Example

The worshippers knelt before the idol and offered flowers and incense.

verb collocation: kneel before an idol

Anjali's grandmother kept a small idol of Ganesha on a shelf in the kitchen.

pattern: idol of + [deity name]

Common collocations
  • worship an idol
  • pray to an idol
  • offerings to an idol
  • bronze idol
  • wooden idol
  • ancient idol
Synonyms
  • icon

    specifically a painted religious image in Eastern Christian traditions; also used broadly for any symbol

  • effigy

    a three-dimensional representation of a person, often life-size; more formal and less common in everyday speech

  • statue

    a carved or cast figure of a person or animal; neutral term without religious connotations

Grammar Patterns

worship/pray to + an idol

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 3: sense 2 covers any religious object used in prayer (including pictures and symbols), while sense 3 refers specifically to a statue worshipped as a divine being. This sense is also the historical origin of the word's meaning.

Common Mistakes

The tribe worshiped an idol of a rabbit as their god.
The tribe considered the rabbit a sacred animal.
Calling something an 'idol' implies a physical representation, not a living animal.

3. a statue, carving, or other sculpted representation that people treat as a divin

3.nounB2
Definition

a statue, carving, or other sculpted representation that people treat as a divine being and pray to as a god, believing it holds spiritual power or authority.

Example

The temple contained a golden idol that had been venerated for centuries.

passive: be venerated for [period]

Takeshi studied how ancient civilizations carved idols from stone and wood for their ceremonies.

verb collocation: carve an idol

Common collocations
  • golden idol
  • idol worship
  • bow down to an idol
  • carved idol
  • clay idol
Synonyms
  • effigy

    a representation of a person, often used in rituals; does not necessarily imply worship as a god

  • fetish

    an object believed to have magical powers; used in anthropology, not everyday speech

  • graven image

    a biblical term for an idol carved from stone or metal; very formal or literary register

Grammar Patterns

worship + [noun] as an idol

Usage Note

This sense is narrower than sense 2: it applies only to statues or effigies regarded as actual deities, not to pictures, symbols, or objects used as prayer aids. Common in discussions of ancient religions, biblical texts, and anthropological studies.

Common Mistakes

She keeps an idol of her grandmother on the shelf.
She keeps a photo of her grandmother on the shelf.
'idol' implies religious worship as a divine being, not a sentimental keepsake.
Idioms

idol of the crowd

idiom

a person who is extremely popular and admired by the general public, often for a short period.

The young activist became the idol of the crowd after her speech at the rally.

Word family

  • idolize
    verbB2
  • idolization
    nounC1
  • idolatry
    nounC1
  • idolatrous
    adjectiveC1
  • idolater
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The words 'idol', 'hero', 'role model', and 'star' all describe admired people but differ in the type of admiration. 'Idol' suggests intense devotion and emotional attachment — fans may put an idol on a pedestal and feel personally connected. 'Hero' emphasizes courage, moral strength, or admirable achievements, often in difficult circumstances (a war hero, a hero who saved a child). 'Role model' focuses on the person's behaviour as something worth imitating — a teacher, parent, or community leader can be a role model regardless of fame. 'Star' is the most neutral and commercial term, used for famous performers in entertainment; it describes visibility rather than devotion. For example, 'Taylor Swift is a pop star with millions of fans who see her as an idol; some young musicians consider her a role model for her songwriting career, while others might call her a hero for her advocacy work.'

idol ↗hero ↗role modelstar ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make an idol of someone
  • worship someone like an idol
  • set someone up as an idol

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'idol' entered English in the 13th century via Old French 'idole', from Latin 'idōlum' meaning 'image' or 'form', which itself came from Greek 'eídōlon' (εἴδωλον), meaning 'image, phantom, or likeness'. The Greek root 'eîdos' (εἶδος) means 'form' or 'shape'. The original meaning in English was a physical image of a god used in worship. By the 1500s, the word had developed a figurative sense referring to anything or anyone admired to an excessive degree, and by the 1800s, it took on the modern meaning of a beloved celebrity or public figure.