An idol is someone you admire so intensely that they become almost like a hero to you. When a young basketball player calls LeBron James their idol, they mean he represents everything they hope to become, someone who inspires them to study his techniques, copy his moves, and maybe even decorate their room with his pictures.

Today, your idol might be a scientist like Marie Curie, an inventor like Steve Jobs, or a musician whose songs move you. Some people even call their favorite celebrities “pop idols.”

There's a meaningful difference between simply liking someone and making them your idol. You might enjoy watching a comedian's show, but if they're your idol, you probably know details about their career, quote their best lines, and think about them when facing your own challenges. An idol represents qualities you value: courage, creativity, perseverance, talent, or kindness.

The phrase idol worship describes excessive admiration, when someone forgets that even the greatest people have flaws and limitations.