What does idolatry mean?
Idolatry is the worship of idols, especially images or objects treated as divine. Its historical meaning is primarily religious: describing practices in which a person venerates a material representation of a deity or gives divine honor to an image. In modern figurative use, idolatry means extravagant or uncritical devotion to someone or something, such as wealth, power, celebrity, or an ideology. The word often carries a strongly negative moral judgment, implying that the object of devotion has been made into a false god or treated with disproportionate importance. Because it combines the literal idea of idol worship with the broader concern that passionate attachment can distort judgment, “idolatry” remains useful for describing both specific religious practices and figuratively excessive devotion.
nounThe worship of idols or images regarded as divine. By extension, it refers to excessive or fanatical devotion to a person, thing, or idea.
- Worship of idols or sacred images.
- Excessive, often fanatical, devotion to a person, thing, or idea.
"The scholar condemned the idolatry of wealth and rejected the idea that possessions could provide spiritual fulfillment."
"Archaeologists identified evidence of idolatry in the ritual objects found at the site."
"Her friends accused him of idolizing the celebrity and ignoring the consequences of his behavior."
Plural forms are used for different instances or forms of idolatry.
"The novels examine different forms of political idolatry."
From a word about worshipping statues, idolatry grew into a modern warning about devotion to anything we treat as a false god.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does idolatry come from?
Idolatry comes through Old French from the Latin idolātria, a borrowing from Greek eidōlōlatreia, meaning “worship of idols.” The Greek compound combines eidōlon, “image” or “idol,” with latreia, “worship.” The related English words idol, idolater, and idolize reflect the same historical development, while the broader language of worship and devotion ultimately connects the term to religious practice as well as its later figurative uses.
Related word forms
How idolatry is actually used
In religious contexts, it is a formal and generally condemnatory term. In figurative use, it is usually critical and suggests devotion that is excessive, uncritical, or misplaced.