Word for the object of adoration

single-word-requests phrase-requests

What would be a word for the object of adoration? E.g., a public speaker, a movie actor or a character in a novel.

In short, if I am a fan of X, then X is my __.

Please note that the adoration here is not excessive, and therefore I am looking for a word weaker than 'idol'.


Solution 1:

Really the word fan is a contraction of the word 'fanatic' according to the Oxford English Dictionary

Merriam-Webster defines 'fan' as:

an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator or an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit)

So you could really say 'x is my admired/devoted' but that just sounds awkward. Maybe just use the idiom 'apple of my eye'?

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