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

Petsch will play Veronica, a straight-A student determined not to fall for college heartthrob Caleb (Casalegno) and become his next conquest, even after a chance encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between the two of them. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Nov. 2025

James Van Der Beek is auctioning off memorabilia from his teen heartthrob heyday amid a battle with cancer. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025

Maluma, who is co-hosting the Latin Grammys this year with actress Roselyn Sánchez, tapped into his heartthrob swagger to sing the song. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025

As James Van Der Beek fans rally around the former teen heartthrob amid his health struggles, the actor is parting with some rare memorabilia to assist with treatment costs. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Nov. 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