idolatry
eye-DOL-uh-tree
/aɪˈdɒl.ə.tri/
The worship of idols or physical images as gods; extreme admiration or devotion to something.
Strongly pejorative in monotheistic polemics; in modern secular usage, describes fanatical devotion to celebrities or money.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'idolatrie', from Church Latin 'idolatria', derived from Ancient Greek 'eidololatreia'—from 'eidolon' (image) and 'latreia' (worship).
Word relationships
- fetishism: Implies attributing magical powers to inanimate objects, whereas idolatry focuses on formal worship of images/objects.
- hero-worship: Secular equivalent for excessive admiration of a human being.
- iconoclasm: The rejection or destruction of religious images and idols.
Commonly confused with
- ideology: Ideology is a system of ideas and ideals; idolatry is the worship of idols.
Word family
- idolater (noun): A person who worships idols.
- idolatrous (adjective): Relating to or practicing idolatry.
Collocations
- commit idolatry
- border on idolatry
- idolatry of money
Example sentences
- "The prophet condemned the golden calf as a blatant act of idolatry." Religious History
- "Critics warned that the culture's idolatry of wealth undermined basic human empathy." Modern Critique
Memory hook
IDOL + WORSHIP (latry). Idolatry = worshipping physical IDOLS. Worshipping the image instead of the divine.
When not to use
Do not use to describe standard reverence or respectful honor unless condemning it as excessive.
Fun facts
- The prohibition against idolatry is the Second Commandment in the Hebrew Bible.
Explore more words
idolize, adulation, iconoclasm, fanaticism, fandom, devotion
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