eidolon

noun

ei·​do·​lon ī-ˈdō-lən How to pronounce eidolon (audio)
plural eidolons ī-ˈdō-lənz How to pronounce eidolon (audio) or eidola ī-ˈdō-lə How to pronounce eidolon (audio)
Synonyms of eidolonnext
1
: an unsubstantial image : phantom
2
: ideal

Examples of eidolon in a Sentence

an industrialist who remains an eidolon of the visionary and ambitious self-made man

Word History

Etymology

Greek eidōlon — more at idol

First Known Use

1763, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eidolon was in 1763

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eidolon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eidolon. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster