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
4
: a false conception : fallacy
5
: a form or appearance visible but without substance
an enchanted phantom, a lifeless idol—
P. B. Shelley
P. B. Shelley
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
When her cancer diagnosis came, in 1973, Darling resigned herself to dying young like her tragic blond idols.
—Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
Few teen idols have managed the transition to adulthood as successfully as these three brothers.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
Shaun appeared in The Hardy Boys Mysteries and achieved pop idol status, later becoming a producer and writer.
—Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Epps has long expressed an interest in playing one of his comedic idols, Richard Pryor, in a biopic.
—The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024
Trump, bear in mind, is the idol of Republicans from coast to coast.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024
An early idol and later an influence was dance icon Debbie Allen, whose multi-hyphenate career would inspire Sandifer’s own.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Mar. 2024
While Ben entered tribal with no vote, Jem walked in with an idol and Maria had an extra vote.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Maria found the clue and the rest of her tribe watched her dig under a tree root for an idol that isn't there.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
Mayukh Sen, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2024
Few teen idols have managed the transition to adulthood as successfully as these three brothers.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
Shaun appeared in The Hardy Boys Mysteries and achieved pop idol status, later becoming a producer and writer.
—Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
Epps has long expressed an interest in playing one of his comedic idols, Richard Pryor, in a biopic.
—The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024
Trump, bear in mind, is the idol of Republicans from coast to coast.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 7 Mar. 2024
An early idol and later an influence was dance icon Debbie Allen, whose multi-hyphenate career would inspire Sandifer’s own.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 28 Mar. 2024
While Ben entered tribal with no vote, Jem walked in with an idol and Maria had an extra vote.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Maria found the clue and the rest of her tribe watched her dig under a tree root for an idol that isn't there.
—Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'idol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing idol
Dictionary Entries Near idol
Cite this Entry
“Idol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idol. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
idol
noun1
: an image worshipped as a god
2
: a greatly loved and admired person or thing
More from Merriam-Webster on idol
Nglish: Translation of idol for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of idol for Arabic Speakers
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