idol

[ ahyd-l ]
/ ˈaɪd l /

noun

an image or other material object representing a deity to which religious worship is addressed.
Bible.
  1. an image of a deity other than God.
  2. the deity itself.
any person or thing regarded with blind admiration, adoration, or devotion: Madame Curie had been her childhood idol.
a mere image or semblance of something, visible but without substance, as a phantom.
a figment of the mind; fantasy.
a false conception or notion; fallacy.

Origin of idol

1200–50; Middle English < Late Latin īdōlum < Greek eídōlon image, idol, derivative of eîdos shape, form

SYNONYMS FOR idol

1 See image.
3 favorite, darling, pet.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH idol

idle idol idyll (see synonym study at idle)

Example sentences from the Web for idol

British Dictionary definitions for idol

idol
/ (ˈaɪdəl) /

noun

a material object, esp a carved image, that is worshipped as a god
Christianity Judaism any being (other than the one God) to which divine honour is paid
a person who is revered, admired, or highly loved

Word Origin for idol

C13: from Late Latin īdōlum, from Latin: image, from Greek eidōlon, from eidos shape, form