# idol

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈaɪ.dl̩/ · frequency rank #7,802

## Definitions
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. A popular entertainer, usually young, captivating and attractive, and often female, with an image of being close to fans.
4. An eidolon or phantom; a misleading or elusive image or representation.

## 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.

## Easily confused with
- **io** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-io)
- **ill** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ill)
- **ion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ion)
- **iOS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ios)
- **iso** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-iso)
- **IMO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-imo)
- **IRL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-irl)
- **IPO** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ipo)
- **IDS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ids)
- **IOC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ioc)
- **IPL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ipl)
- **Ivo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ivo)
- **IOM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-iom)
- **iron** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-iron)
- **iPod** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ipod)
- **Indo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-indo)
- **Igor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-igor)
- **ISIL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-isil)
- **incl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-incl)
- **Ivor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/idol-vs-ivor)

## Common misspellings (5)
`diol`, `iddol`, `idlo`, `idoll`, `iodl`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/idol