Definition

1. Noun:
   • An ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept: A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality or concept.
   • Someone who is adored blindly and excessively: A person who is greatly admired, loved, or revered, often to an extreme or uncritical degree.
   • A material effigy that is worshipped: A statue or image representing a deity that is used as an object of worship, especially in contexts where such worship is considered improper or false.

Usage Examples

• As a perfect embodiment:
  • She was his idol of beauty and grace. (She perfectly represented his concept of beauty and grace.)
  • The novel presents the character as an idol of chivalry. (The character is shown as the perfect example of chivalry.)
• As a person who is excessively adored:
  • The pop star became an idol to millions of teenagers. (The pop star was blindly adored by millions of teenagers.)
  • He was more than a mentor; he was her idol. (She admired him excessively and uncritically.)
• As a worshipped image:
  • The ancient tribe prayed before a wooden idol. (The tribe worshipped a statue made of wood.)
  • The commandment forbade the creation of any graven idol. (Making carved images for worship was prohibited.)

Advanced Usage

• "To make an idol of someone/something": To admire or love someone or something to an excessive, almost religious degree.
  • He made an idol of his career, sacrificing everything else for it. (He worshipped his career excessively.)
• "Teen idol": A celebrity who is extremely popular among teenagers.
  • The actor rose to fame as a teen idol in the 1990s. (The actor became a celebrity adored by teenagers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Idolater (noun): A person who worships idols.
  • The prophet condemned the idolaters.
• Idolatrous (adjective): Relating to or practicing idolatry; showing excessive admiration.
  • His idolatrous devotion to the leader was concerning.
• Idolatry (noun): The worship of idols; extreme admiration, love, or reverence for someone or something.
  • The practice was condemned as idolatry.
  • Their idolatry of fame is unhealthy.

Synonyms

• Icon: A person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or worthy of veneration.
• Hero: A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
• Deity: A god or goddess (specifically for the "worshipped image" sense).
• Paragon: A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality.

Related Phrases

• "Fallen idol": A person who was once greatly admired but has lost their status due to scandal or failure.
  • After the scandal, the politician became a fallen idol.
• "Idol worship": The act of worshipping an idol or, figuratively, showing excessive devotion to a person.
  • The cult was known for its idol worship.
  • The media's idol worship of celebrities is often criticized.

Idioms

• To be someone's idol: To be the person whom someone admires most.
  • Ever since she was a child, her grandmother has been her idol.
• To shatter/break an idol: To destroy someone's idealized image of a person or thing.
  • Learning about his corruption shattered her idol. (It destroyed her perfect image of him.)

Noun

1. an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
2. someone who is adored blindly and excessively
3. a material effigy that is worshipped
   • thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image
   • money was his god