IDOL
Dictionary entry overview: What does idol mean?
• IDOL (noun)
The noun IDOL has 3 senses:
1. a material effigy that is worshipped
2. someone who is adored blindly and excessively
3. an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
Familiarity information: IDOL used as a noun is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• IDOL (noun)
Meaning:
A material effigy that is worshipped
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Synonyms:
graven image; idol; god
Context examples:
thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image / money was his god
Hypernyms ("idol" is a kind of...):
effigy; image; simulacrum (a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture))
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idol"):
golden calf ((Old Testament) an idol made by Aaron for the Israelites to worship; destroyed by Moses; it is now used to refer to anything worshipped undeservedly)
joss (a Chinese god worshipped in the form of an idol)
Juggernaut (a crude idol of Krishna)
Meaning:
Someone who is adored blindly and excessively
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
matinee idol; idol
Hypernyms ("idol" is a kind of...):
lead; principal; star (an actor who plays a principal role)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idol"):
heartthrob (an object of infatuation)
Meaning:
An ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Synonyms:
beau ideal; paragon; perfection; idol
Hypernyms ("idol" is a kind of...):
ideal (the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "idol"):
gold standard (a paragon of excellence)
