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

James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in Dawson’s Creek and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died. —Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026

James Van Der Beek, who played a beloved teen heartthrob at the center of the late '90s and early aughts drama Dawson’s Creek, has died following a battle with colorectal cancer. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026

The series turned Van Der Beek into a youth heartthrob and catapulted him into the national limelight. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026

Starring opposite Katie Holmes and with his dashing good looks, Van Der Beek quickly became a teen heartthrob on the coming-of-age series, which ran for six seasons from 1998 to 2003. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 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