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Idol

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an image worshipped as a god; a hero

Where does the word "idol" come from? It comes from Greek eidōlon, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

eidōlon→idole→idol

Greek · ancient

"image, phantom"

Greek, from 'eidos', form

Old French · medieval

came via Latin 'idolum'

English · 1200s

pop 'idols' date from the 1900s

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Idol’s story begins in Greek: eidōlon meant “image, phantom.” Greek, from 'eidos', form. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as idole. Came via Latin 'idolum'. It reached English by 1200s as idol. Pop 'idols' date from the 1900s. Today, idol means an image worshipped as a god; a hero.