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. ShelleyExamples 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
Brooker’s commandment is to worship no idols, most especially of the American variety.
10.
—Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Bobby Sherman’s wife says the teen idol’s body is ‘shutting down’ due to terminal illness.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
My particular idols, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, were both in that picture.
—Elizabeth Alexander, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
As the setting shifts to projections of stone idols indicating a move to the royal court, Ramaswamy is joined by her sister, Arpana, for a gorgeous, protracted duet.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idol
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Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
Bobby Sherman’s wife says the teen idol’s body is ‘shutting down’ due to terminal illness.
—Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
My particular idols, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, were both in that picture.
—Elizabeth Alexander, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
As the setting shifts to projections of stone idols indicating a move to the royal court, Ramaswamy is joined by her sister, Arpana, for a gorgeous, protracted duet.
—Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for idol
Cite this Entry
“Idol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/idol. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
idol
noun1
: an image worshipped as a god
2
: a greatly loved and admired person or thing
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