/ ˈaɪdl; NAmE / noun
1.
a person or thing that is loved and admired very much :
a pop / football / teen, etc. idol
the idol of countless teenagers
a fallen idol (= sb who is no longer popular)
2.
a statue that is worshipped as a god
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French idole , from Latin idolum image, form (used in ecclesiastical Latin in the sense idol), from Greek eidōlon , from eidos form, shape.