Idolatry
noun
The worship of idols or a love for something too much.
He was accused of idolatry for his high consumption of media and technology.
Usage tips
Formal
Religious
noun
Extreme admiration or love for a person.
Her idolatry of the pop star was obvious due to her vast collection of posters and merchandise.
Often appears as...
- idolatry of celebrities
- idolatry of money
noun
The worship of idols or a love for something too much.
He was accused of idolatry for his high consumption of media and technology.
Usage tips
Formal
Religious
noun
Extreme admiration or love for a person.
Her idolatry of the pop star was obvious due to her vast collection of posters and merchandise.
Often appears as...
- idolatry of celebrities
- idolatry of money
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Origin
Originally, idolatry involved worshiping statues or symbols as gods, often in religious contexts.
In many ancient cultures, idolatry was common as people worshiped various deities.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Idolatry suggests excessive devotion, which can imply neglecting other important aspects of life.
Her idolatry for the game led to her ignoring her family responsibilities.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Idolatry can be used metaphorically to describe any intense devotion or blind adoration.
His idolatry for the brand led him to stand in line for hours for each new release.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Origin
Originally, idolatry involved worshiping statues or symbols as gods, often in religious contexts.
In many ancient cultures, idolatry was common as people worshiped various deities.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Idolatry suggests excessive devotion, which can imply neglecting other important aspects of life.
Her idolatry for the game led to her ignoring her family responsibilities.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Idolatry can be used metaphorically to describe any intense devotion or blind adoration.
His idolatry for the brand led him to stand in line for hours for each new release.
Pro Tip 1/3Religious Origin
Originally, idolatry involved worshiping statues or symbols as gods, often in religious contexts.
In many ancient cultures, idolatry was common as people worshiped various deities.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
Idolatry suggests excessive devotion, which can imply neglecting other important aspects of life.
Her idolatry for the game led to her ignoring her family responsibilities.
Pro Tip 3/3Metaphorical Use
Idolatry can be used metaphorically to describe any intense devotion or blind adoration.
His idolatry for the brand led him to stand in line for hours for each new release.
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Video examples
A brief history of...
This is done in order to avoid idolatry, or confusion between the representation of divinity and divinity itself. Keeping it real, so to speak, in the relationship between the individual and the divine. However, this can be a challenge to maintain, given that the urge to visually represent and interpret the world around us
Video examples
The surprising decline...
for crimes such as homosexuality, adultery, blasphemy, idolatry, talking back to your parents -- and picking up sticks on the Sabbath. Well, let's click the zoom lens down one order of magnitude and look at the century scale.
Video examples
A brief history of...
This is done in order to avoid idolatry, or confusion between the representation of divinity and divinity itself. Keeping it real, so to speak, in the relationship between the individual and the divine. However, this can be a challenge to maintain, given that the urge to visually represent and interpret the world around us
Video examples
The surprising decline...
for crimes such as homosexuality, adultery, blasphemy, idolatry, talking back to your parents -- and picking up sticks on the Sabbath. Well, let's click the zoom lens down one order of magnitude and look at the century scale.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Charles Spurgeon
British Clergyman
Revenge, lust, ambition, pride, and self-will are too often exalted as the gods of man's idolatry; while holiness, peace, contentment, and humility are viewed as unworthy of a serious thought.
Quote examples
Trevor Nunn
English Director
In my teens, I developed a passionate idolatry for a teacher of English literature. I wanted to do something that he would approve of more, so I thought I should be some sort of a scholar.
Quote examples
Virginia Woolf
British Author
It is curious how instinctively one protects the image of oneself from idolatry or any other handling that could make it ridiculous, or too unlike the original to be believed any longer.
Quote examples
Isaac Newton
English Mathematician
Opposite to godliness is atheism in profession, and idolatry in practice. Atheism is so senseless and odious to mankind, that it never had many professors.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
I had this sort of idolatry for certain actors who preceded me, people who inspired me, so I'm honored to be that way for young actors.
Quote examples
Pope John Paul II
Polish Saint
Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.
Quote examples
William Wordsworth
English Poet
Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high thinking are no more.
Quote examples
John Bach
Welsh Actor
Idolatry is really not good for anyone. Not even the idols.
Quote examples
George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright
The art of government is the organisation of idolatry.
Quote examples
Ann Oakley
British Sociologist
Families are nothing other than the idolatry of duty.
Quote examples
Charles Spurgeon
British Clergyman
Revenge, lust, ambition, pride, and self-will are too often exalted as the gods of man's idolatry; while holiness, peace, contentment, and humility are viewed as unworthy of a serious thought.
Quote examples
Trevor Nunn
English Director
In my teens, I developed a passionate idolatry for a teacher of English literature. I wanted to do something that he would approve of more, so I thought I should be some sort of a scholar.
Quote examples
Virginia Woolf
British Author
It is curious how instinctively one protects the image of oneself from idolatry or any other handling that could make it ridiculous, or too unlike the original to be believed any longer.
Quote examples
Isaac Newton
English Mathematician
Opposite to godliness is atheism in profession, and idolatry in practice. Atheism is so senseless and odious to mankind, that it never had many professors.
Quote examples
Meryl Streep
American Actress
I had this sort of idolatry for certain actors who preceded me, people who inspired me, so I'm honored to be that way for young actors.
Quote examples
Pope John Paul II
Polish Saint
Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.
Quote examples
William Wordsworth
English Poet
Rapine, avarice, expense, This is idolatry; and these we adore; Plain living and high thinking are no more.
Quote examples
John Bach
Welsh Actor
Idolatry is really not good for anyone. Not even the idols.
Quote examples
George Bernard Shaw
Irish Playwright
The art of government is the organisation of idolatry.
Quote examples
Ann Oakley
British Sociologist
Families are nothing other than the idolatry of duty.
Example 1 of 10
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