アイドル

noun

icon; star; celebrity; admired figure

A broader, figurative use for any person who is greatly admired, like a cultural icon or a star in any field. Not limited to the pop music industry.

• 彼かれは若わか者もののアイドルとして知しられている。

  He is known as an idol for young people.

• あの作さっ家かは多おおくの読どく者しゃにとってアイドル的てきな存そん在ざいだ。

  That author is an idol-like figure for many readers.

noun

idol (religious); graven image

Refers to a physical object of worship, such as a statue or image. This is a more literal, often religious or historical usage, and is less common in everyday conversation. The synonym 偶像 is more frequently used for this meaning.

See also: 偶像

• 古こ代だいの人ひと々びとは木きや石いしで作つくったアイドルを崇すう拝はいした。

  Ancient people worshiped idols made of wood or stone.