idolater
LowFormal, Literary, Religious
Definition
Meaning
A person who worships idols, literally or figuratively.
A person who shows extreme admiration, devotion, or reverence for someone or something, treating them almost as a god.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Historically a theological/religious term for a worshipper of physical idols. Modern secular usage applies to extreme fans or admirers, often with a negative connotation of irrational or misplaced devotion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK 'idolater' is standard; US also accepts 'idolator'. No significant difference in meaning or usage patterns.
Connotations
Identical connotations of extreme, often blind, devotion in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in religious or high-register figurative contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
idolater of + [person/object of worship]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He made an idolater of his audience.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically: 'He was an idolater of the free market.'
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, sociology (e.g., studies of fandom or political cults).
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used for dramatic effect to describe an obsessive fan.
Technical
Specific term in theology and anthropology for practitioners of idol worship.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (No direct verb form; related verb is 'idolise/idolize') He was accused of idolising false gods.
American English
- (No direct verb form; related verb is 'idolize') The cult leader encouraged them to idolize him.
adverb
British English
- (Related adverb: 'idolatrously') She gazed idolatrously at the celebrity.
American English
- (Related adverb: 'idolatrously') He spoke idolatrously of his former coach.
adjective
British English
- (Related adjective: 'idolatrous') His idolatrous behaviour concerned his family.
American English
- (Related adjective: 'idolatrous') The article condemned the idolatrous practices.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is a big fan of the singer, almost like an idolater.
- In ancient times, an idolater would worship statues made of wood or stone.
- Secular critics argue that many modern political movements transform leaders into objects of idolatry, creating a nation of uncritical idolaters.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
IDOL + LATER → Think of someone who arrives LATER to worship an IDOL.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSE ADMIRATION IS WORSHIP; A PERSON IS A TEMPLE (for the idol).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with 'идеолог' (ideologist). Correct translation is 'идолопоклонник'. The '-er' ending indicates a person, not an abstract concept.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'idolator' (more common in US) or 'idolatrer'. Confusing with 'idolatrous' (adj.). Incorrectly using for mild fans.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern, figurative sense, an 'idolater' is most likely to be:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically yes, especially in religious contexts where it implies false worship. In secular use, it suggests excessive, uncritical devotion.
An 'idolater' implies a level of devotion akin to religious worship, often blind or extreme. A 'fan' is a much more neutral term for an admirer or enthusiast.
Yes, though the traditionally gendered form 'idolatress' exists, 'idolater' is now generally used as a gender-neutral term for any person.
Yes, particularly in American English, though 'idolater' is the original and more common spelling in both UK and US standard dictionaries.