idolise
gb/ɪdˈoʊlɪs/ us/ɪdˈoʊlɪs/
B2
English
istenít, bálványoz, istenként tisztel
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
idolise [someone] (as [something])
When she was a teenager, she idolised that singer and knew every lyric.
Amikor tizenéves volt, istenítette azt az énekest, és minden dalszöveget kívülről tudott.
He idolised his older brother and copied the way he dressed.
Istenítette a bátyját, és ugyanúgy öltözködött, mint ő.
It’s easy to idolise someone online because you only see the highlights.
Learner examples
I idolise my uncle because he is very kind.
Istenítem a nagybátyámat, mert nagyon kedves.
Many fans idolise famous athletes.
Sok rajongó isteníti a híres sportolókat.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with idealise (= imagine something is better or more perfect than it really is).
Meaning
admire someone too much
Collocations
idolise a celebrity
|idolise a pop star
|idolise an actor
|idolise a sports star
|idolise your father
|idolise your mother
|idolise your parents
|idolise a teacher
|idolise someone as a hero
|grow up idolising someone
Synonyms
adore (Less strongly suggests putting someone on a pedestal.)
|
worship (Often more extreme or dramatic; can sound hyperbolic.)
|
revere (More formal and respectful; less about excitement or fandom.)
Antonyms
despise (To feel strong dislike instead of admiration.)
|
look down on (To consider someone inferior rather than admirable.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|celebrity
|opinions
Definition
to love and admire someone a lot, sometimes too much
To admire and love someone very much, often more than is reasonable, and to treat them as perfect.
VERB
C1
2
bálványoz
C1
Usage pattern:
idolise [a god/object]
The story warns against idolising images instead of living by the faith’s teachings.
A történet arra figyelmeztet, hogy ne bálványozzuk a képeket ahelyett, hogy a hit tanításai szerint élnénk.
Some early critics accused the movement of idolising its leader.
Néhány korai bíráló azzal vádolta a mozgalmat, hogy bálványozza a vezetőjét.
The reformers argued that people should not idolise statues.
Common mistake:
In everyday English this sense is less common; most uses are figurative (= admire too much).
Meaning
worship as a god
Collocations
idolise false gods
|idolise an image
|idolise a statue
|idolise an idol
|idolise an object
|idolise a deity
Synonyms
worship (General term for religious devotion; not necessarily involving idols.)
|
venerate (More formal; can mean deep respect without worshipping as a god.)
Antonyms
reject (To refuse to accept something as worthy of worship.)
|
renounce (To formally give up a belief or practice.)
Themes
religion
|culture
Definition
to worship something as a god
To worship someone or something as a god or as an idol.
Grammar
Dictionary form
idolise
IPA
GB/ɪdˈoʊlɪs/
US/ɪdˈoʊlɪs/
Syllables & stress
id - ol - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ol)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: idolise
- 3rd Person Singular: idolises
- Present Participle: idolising
- Past: idolised
Word family
Expressions
idolise the ground (that) [someone] walks on
1/ɪdˈoʊlɪs ðə ɡɹˈaʊnd ðˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɔks ˈɔn/
idiom
informal
admire someone extremely
to love and admire someone very, very much
Examples
- He idolises the ground she walks on and never disagrees with her.
- They’ve only been dating a month, but he already idolises the ground she walks on.