The difference between Icon and Idol

When used as nouns, icon means an image, symbol, picture, or other representation usually as an object of religious devotion, whereas idol means a graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.


check bellow for the other definitions of Icon and Idol

  1. Icon as a noun:

    An image, symbol, picture, or other representation usually as an object of religious devotion.

  2. Icon as a noun (religion, especially, Eastern Christianity):

    A type of religious painting portraying a saint or scene from Scripture, often done on wooden panels.

  3. Icon as a noun:

    A person or thing that is the best example of a certain profession or some doing.

    Examples:

    "That man is an icon in the business; he personifies loyalty and good business sense."

  4. Icon as a noun (computing):

    A small picture that represents something (such as an icon on a computer screen which when clicked performs some function.)

  5. Icon as a noun (linguistics):

    A word, character, or sign whose form reflects and is determined by the referent; onomatopoeic words are necessarily all icons. See also and .

  1. Idol as a noun:

    A graven image or representation of anything that is revered, or believed to convey spiritual power.

  2. Idol as a noun:

    A cultural icon, or especially popular person.

  3. Idol as a noun (Asia, originally, Japan):

    Popular entertainer; usually young, captivating, attractive; and often female, with an image of being close to fans.

  4. Idol as a noun (obsolete):

    An eidolon or phantom; something misleading or elusive.

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