[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/idol/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [I](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/i/) / idol

# idol

noun (an idol, idols)

«idol» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. An idol is a person who is greatly admired and loved by many people, such as a pop star or sports star. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#m1)
2. (religion, Bible) An idol is a statue or picture that is worshipped as a god; the Bible forbids worshipping idols. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#m2)
3. Anything treated as more important than it should be: «Money became his idol». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life children have idols such as footballers and singers; TV shows pick «pop idols». In religious education, the Ten Commandments say not to make or worship idols, and the golden calf story shows the Israelites worshipping one. Phrases: «a pop idol», «my childhood idol», «worship idols», «a golden idol».

### Examples

- My idol is a famous footballer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x1)
- The singer was the idol of millions of fans. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x2)
- The Israelites made a golden calf as an idol. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x3)
- The Ten Commandments forbid worshipping idols. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x4)
- The explorer found a stone idol in the jungle temple. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x5)
- Don't make money your idol. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x6)
- She met her idol and got an autograph. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x7)
- The long, colored tapestry, on which she and her maidens had worked pictures of their idols, Odin, Thor, and Friga, was hung up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/#x8)

### Note

Countable; «an idol». Homophone: «idle» (lazy, not working) sounds the same. Related: idolise (to admire greatly), idolatry (worship of idols).

## In Jewish tradition

An idol is an image worshipped as a god, which the Torah forbids. It is a main sin that the Israelites are warned against.

**Interpretation.** Judaism treats idol worship as one of the gravest sins. Tradition teaches that God is one and cannot be shown in any image.

### Examples

- Turn ye not unto the idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. (Torah LEV.19.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/#x1)
- and ye have seen their detestable things, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were with them — (Torah DEU.29.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/#x2)
- And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your sun-pillars, and cast your carcasses upon the carcasses of your idols; and My soul shall abhor you. (Torah LEV.26.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/#x3)
- And the idols shall utterly pass away. (Prophets ISA.2.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/#x4)
- Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone. (Prophets HOS.4.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/#x5)
- And they served their idols, which became a snare unto them; (Writings PSA.106.36, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/#x6)

### Note

Countable; «an idol». Homophone: «idle» (lazy, not working) sounds the same. Related: idolise (to admire greatly), idolatry (worship of idols).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «idol» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/idol/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«idol» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/idol.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «idol» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/I/idol/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«idol» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/idol.html) on Mova free.