idol

[/ˈaɪdəl/]
nounmasculinepl: idols
ídolo
1. A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered
She has been my idol since I was a child.
Ela tem sido meu ídolo desde que eu era criança.
2. A statue, image, or representation of a god used as an object of worship
Ancient civilizations created idols to represent their gods.
As civilizações antigas criavam ídolos para representar seus deuses.
3. Something that is erroneously or excessively loved, honored, or revered
Money became his idol.
O dinheiro tornou-se seu ídolo.
In Brazil, 'ídolo' is deeply embedded in popular culture, particularly in football (soccer), music, and television. Famous footballers and musicians are commonly referred to as 'ídolos nacionais' (national idols). The term carries both positive connotations of admiration and can also be used critically when discussing excessive fandom or idolatry.
NYC Slang
icon, goat (greatest of all time)
Synonyms / Sinônimos
herocelebritystardeityiconfavorite
Antonyms / Antônimos
nobodyobscurity

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ídolo
Standard term used across Brazil for admired person or deity representation
Rio de Janeiro
ídolo
Common usage, especially in music and sports culture
São Paulo
ídolo
Widely used in entertainment and corporate contexts
Portugal
ídolo
Same term used; slightly more formal tone in European Portuguese

Related Words

idolizeidolatryworshipadmirationcelebrityicon

Related Idioms & Phrases

make an idol of someone - colocar alguém num pedestal
idol worship - idolatria, adoração excessiva
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