idol
n. countablen. a person you admire very much and want to be like. It can also mean a statue that people worship as a god.
n. a person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered. In a religious context, refers to an image or statue worshipped as a deity.
The young singer is a pop idol for millions of teenagers.
Growing up, he viewed his grandfather as his personal idol because of his bravery and kindness.
The museum's collection includes several ancient stone idols that were once central to the spiritual life of the local community.
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.
Often used with 'pop', 'teen', or 'screen' to describe famous celebrities.