idol

English Online Dictionary. What means idol‎? What does idol mean?

English

Alternative forms

• idoll (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English ydole, from Old French idole, from Latin idolum, from Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “image, idol”), from εἶδος (eîdos, “form”), from Proto-Indo-European *wéydos (“seeing, image”), from *weyd- (“to see”). Doublet of aidoru, eidolon, and idolum and related to idea.

Pronunciation

• enPR: īʹd(ə)l
  • (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈaɪ.dəl/, [ˈaɪ.dl̩]
  • (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈaɪ.dəl/, [ˈaɪ.ɾl̩]
  • (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈɑɪ.dəl/, [ˈɑɪ.ɾl̩]
• Rhymes: -aɪdəl
• Homophones: idle, idyl(l) (US pronunciation)
• Rhymes: -əʊl

Noun

idol (plural idols)

1. A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.
2. A cultural icon, or especially popular person.
3. (Asia, originally Japan) A popular entertainer, usually young, captivating and attractive, and often female, with an image of being close to fans.
4. (obsolete) An eidolon or phantom; something misleading or elusive.

Synonyms

• (a celebrated person): icon, star, superstar

Derived terms

Descendants

• → Japanese: アイドル
  • → Chinese: 愛抖露／爱抖露 (àidǒulù)
  • → Chinese: 愛豆／爱豆 (àidòu)
  • → English: aidoru, idoru
• → Korean: 아이돌 (aidol)

Translations

Anagrams

• Lodi, OLDI, diol, lido, loid, olid

Danish

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -oːl

Noun

idol n (singular definite idolet, plural indefinite idoler)

1. idol

Inflection

Middle English

Noun

idol

1. Alternative form of ydole

Polish

Etymology

Borrowed from French idole, from Latin īdōlum, from Ancient Greek εἴδωλον (eídōlon, “image; idol”), from εἶδος (eîdos, “form”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈi.dɔl/
• Rhymes: -idɔl
• Syllabification: i‧dol

Noun

idol m pers (female equivalent idolka)

1. idol (cultural icon, especially popular person)

Declension

Noun

idol m inan

1. idol (representation of anything revered)

   Synonyms: bożek, bałwan

Declension

Further reading

• idol in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
• idol in Polish dictionaries at PWN

Romanian

Etymology

From Ancient Greek είδωλον (eídōlon), partially through the intermediate of Old Church Slavonic идолъ (idolŭ). Compare Aromanian idul, Serbo-Croatian idol.

Noun

idol m (plural idoli)

1. idol
2. pagan divinity
3. (popular) demon

   Synonyms: demon, drac, diavol, aghiuță, naiba

Declension

Related terms

• idolatru
• idolatrie

Serbo-Croatian

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ǐdoːl/
• Hyphenation: i‧dol

Noun

ìdōl m (Cyrillic spelling ѝдо̄л)

1. idol

Declension

Swedish

Pronunciation

Noun

idol c

1. someone greatly admired (by someone), or the person someone admires the most; an idol

   Mark Knopfler är min idol ― Mark Knopfler is my idol

2. (rare, technical) a representation of a deity; an idol

   Synonym: avgud

Declension

Derived terms

• idoldyrkan (“celebrity worship”)

References

• idol in Svensk ordbok (SO)
• idol in Svenska Akademiens ordlista (SAOL)
• idol in Svenska Akademiens ordbok (SAOB)

Welsh

Etymology

From English idol.

Noun

idol m (plural idolau or idoliaid or idolon)

1. idol

Mutation

Further reading

• R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke et al., editors (1950–present), “idol”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies