Idolize

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Idolize

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

EYE-duh-lyze  /ˈaɪdəlʌɪz/

Definition

To admire, revere, or love someone or something to an extreme or excessive degree; to treat a person or thing as an idol; to worship as an idol.

Plain meaning

To idolize someone means to admire them so much that you treat them like a god or an idol — you idolize a celebrity, a parent, or a sporting hero. The word implies an intense, possibly unreasonable level of admiration. Children often idolize parents; fans idolize pop stars; athletes are idolized by millions.

Register

Neutral to slightly critical. To say someone idolizes another implies the admiration may be excessive or uncritical. Used positively in entertainment contexts (fans who idolize their favourite performers) and slightly critically in evaluative contexts (suggesting the admiration lacks critical judgement).