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

That’s an admirable goal, but something that has to be difficult, considering our society and entertainment industry doesn’t often give these heartthrob, leading man roles to Asian men. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2025

Terence Stamp, the British heartthrob whose performance as the arch-villain in early Superman films and as the title role in Billy Budd won critical praise, died on Sunday. —Bobby Allyn, NPR, 18 Aug. 2025

Chad Michael Murray channels his inner motorcycle-riding heartthrob while attending the Freakier Friday premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on July 31. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Eric Benét may have been a ’90s heartthrob, but things have only gotten better with time. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 22 July 2025

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