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Idolatry: meaning, definitions and examples

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idolatry

 

[ aɪˈdɒlətri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

religious worship

Idolatry is the worship of idols, images, or objects as gods. It is considered a sin in many religions, including Christianity and Islam. Idolatry involves giving devotion and reverence to something other than the one true God.

Synonyms

iconolatry, idol worship, paganism

Examples of usage

  • Many ancient civilizations practiced idolatry, worshipping statues and images.
  • The Bible strictly forbids idolatry, warning against the worship of false gods.
  • In some cultures, idolatry is still a common practice, with people offering sacrifices to idols.
Context #2 | Noun

excessive admiration

Idolatry can also refer to an excessive admiration or devotion towards a person or thing. It is the act of idolizing or excessively praising someone or something, often to the point of obsession.

Synonyms

adulation, idolization, worship

Examples of usage

  • The idolatry of celebrities is a common phenomenon in today's society.
  • Some fans display idolatry towards their favorite sports stars, considering them almost like gods.
  • The danger of idolatry lies in losing sight of reality and placing unrealistic expectations on idols.

Translations

Translations of the word "idolatry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 idolatria

🇮🇳 मूरत पूजा

🇩🇪 Götzendienst

🇮🇩 penyembahan berhala

🇺🇦 ідолопоклонство

🇵🇱 bałwochwalstwo

🇯🇵 偶像崇拝

🇫🇷 idolâtrie

🇪🇸 idolatría

🇹🇷 puta tapma

🇰🇷 우상 숭배

🇸🇦 عبادة الأصنام

🇨🇿 modloslužba

🇸🇰 modloslužobníctvo

🇨🇳 偶像崇拜

🇸🇮 malikovanje

🇮🇸 skurðgoðadýrkun

🇰🇿 пұтқа табынушылық

🇬🇪 კერპთაყვანისმცემლობა

🇦🇿 bütpərəstlik

🇲🇽 idolatría

Etymology

The word 'idolatry' dates back to the 13th century and is derived from the Old French word 'idolatrie', which in turn comes from the Late Latin 'idolatria'. The concept of idolatry has been a central theme in various religions throughout history, often associated with the worship of false gods or idols. The prohibition of idolatry is found in the Ten Commandments of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of worshiping the one true God.

See also: idol, idolater, idolization, idolize, idols, idyllic.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,155, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.