What does idolizing mean?
To idolize someone or something is to admire, love, or revere them with exceptional enthusiasm, often to the point of treating them as faultless or almost superhuman. The verb is especially common in discussions of celebrities, musicians, athletes, historical leaders, and other people who inspire intense devotion. It can carry a critical implication: people who idolize a public figure may overlook that person’s flaws or ignore the consequences of their actions. In more affectionate contexts, however, it can describe genuine artistic admiration or a strong personal attachment. “Idolizing” is the present participle of “idolize,” and its modern sense developed from the older religious use of an idol as an object of worship. The word is useful when describing admiration strong enough to resemble devotion or unquestioning reverence.
verbTo regard someone or something with intense admiration, devotion, or affection; to idolize.
- To admire, love, or revere someone or something to an excessive degree.
- To treat someone or something as an object of intense admiration, especially a public figure or idealized figure.
"The young musician idolized the conductor and eventually began studying under him."
"Many fans idolized the band after seeing them perform across Europe."
"Historians should not idolize a leader without examining both the achievements and the consequences of his policies."
From an ancient Greek word for a carved image of a deity, “idolizing” has come to describe devotion that can be as dazzling as celebrity worship or as sincere as a lifelong artistic devotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does idolizing come from?
The verb “idolize” derives from “idol,” which comes through French from Latin “idolum,” a transliteration of the ancient Greek “eidōlon,” meaning “image” or “figure.” In religious contexts, an idol is an image representing or worshiped as a deity. By extension, “idolize” developed the figurative sense of giving excessive admiration or devotion to a person or thing.
Related word forms
How idolizing is actually used
The verb is commonly used when admiration is unusually strong and may imply idealization or unquestioning devotion. It is usually critical when describing a celebrity or public figure, but it can also be used warmly to express profound admiration.
Easily confused with idolizing
To idolize someone is to admire or adore them intensely, whereas to idealize someone or something is to represent or regard them as better or more perfect than they really are.