ídolo
“ídolo” means “idol” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
idol
Also: hero, star
📝 In Action
Lionel Messi es el ídolo de millones de niños.
A2Lionel Messi is the idol of millions of children.
Mi hermana considera a su maestra de arte su ídolo.
B1My sister considers her art teacher her idol.
idol
Also: graven image
📝 In Action
Los arqueólogos descubrieron un antiguo ídolo de piedra.
B1The archaeologists discovered an ancient stone idol.
Según la historia, la gente adoraba a un ídolo de oro.
B2According to the story, the people worshipped a golden idol.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "ídolo" in Spanish:
graven image→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ídolo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ídolo' in its historical/religious sense?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *idolum*, which itself came from the Greek word *eídōlon*, meaning 'image,' 'form,' or 'phantom.' It originally referred to a physical representation of a god before evolving to mean a person who is greatly admired.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'ídolo' refer to a woman?
Yes, it can be used generally for a woman who is admired, but the feminine form 'ídola' is often preferred. If you hear 'Mi ídolo es Shakira,' it is correct, but 'Mi ídola es Shakira' is also very common.
Does 'ídolo' always mean a celebrity?
No. While the most common use is for celebrities or athletes, it can also refer to any person who inspires deep respect and admiration, like a teacher, parent, or mentor.