idolatrous
|i-dol-a-trous|
🇺🇸
/ɪˈdɑːlətrəs/
🇬🇧
/ɪˈdɒl.ə.trəs/
worshiping idols; excessive devotion
Etymology
'idolatrous' ultimately derives from the noun 'idolatry' + the adjectival suffix '-ous'. 'Idolatry' comes from Greek 'eidōlolatría', formed from 'eidōlon' meaning 'image' and 'latreía' meaning 'worship'.
Greek 'eidōlolatría' passed into Late Latin as 'idololatria' and into Medieval/Old French and Middle English as 'idolatry'; the English adjective 'idolatrous' was formed from that noun (Early Modern English).
Initially it referred specifically to the worship of images or idols; over time it also came to be used figuratively for excessive or blind devotion to a person, idea, or thing.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or given to idolatry; worshiping idols or images.
Many religions condemn idolatrous practices such as the worship of images.
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Adjective 2
showing excessive or blind devotion or admiration (used figuratively).
His idolatrous devotion to the celebrity made it hard for him to see her faults.
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Last updated: 2025/11/20 13:19