heartthrob

noun

heart·​throb ˈhärt-ˌthräb 

1

: the throb of a heart

2

a

: sentimental emotion : passion

b

: sweetheart

also : a usually renowned man (such as an entertainer) noted for his sex appeal

teen heartthrobs

Examples of heartthrob in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What’s also really working for him, fans would argue, is his heartthrob charm, which has scored him major aura points with viewers of Off Campus. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

In the 1980s, Christopher Atkins became a heartthrob breakout after starring in The Blue Lagoon opposite Brooke Shields. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 21 July 2026

The perreo heartthrob is also tapping into new genres for his upcoming sophomore album. — Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

The show co-stars hunky heartthrob Stephen Michael Spencer, who plays a singer-songwriter in a Nashville open mike bar called the Wicked Tickle. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 19 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heartthrob

• kebab
• nawab
• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• job
• knob

Kids Definition

heartthrob

noun

heart·​throb -ˌthräb 

1

: the throb of a heart

2

: a sentimental emotion : passion

b

: sweetheart

also : an attractive and usually famous man