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
The '90s heartthrob — best known for his roles as Joey Russo on Blossom and Joe Longo on Melissa & Joey — married Cope shortly after meeting her on the set of Lifetime's My Husband's Secret Brother, directed by Lawrence's brother, Andrew.
—
Tabitha Britt, Peoplemag, 19 Nov. 2023
But by the third movie, Efron had truly mastered the art of communicating Troy’s anguish through song and dance with a level of intensity and theatrical flair perhaps unmatched by any DCOM heartthrob that has come before or after him.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
He’s been around since the first season of Netflix’s Spanish hit, captivating viewers via his tender romance with heartthrob Ander, played by Arón Piper, and the jarring disapproval his character faces in his Muslim household.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2023
The song got the music video treatment, shocking fans once again with Sivan dressing in drag (looking fabulous) and featuring shirtless heartthrob Ross Lynch.
—TIME, 13 Oct. 2023
In one fun moment, Brown pops into the frame and makes a series of flirtatious winks at the camera as his embraces his boy-band heartthrob status.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
The film opens with a lonely cowboy (Millennial heartthrob Manu Ríos) singing fado, the Portuguese song of longing and melancholy.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Oct. 2023
Some of the general clues have included that someone is a Grammy-winning global superstar, another is a Hollywood heartthrob, while yet another mystery celeb is a sporting hero.
—Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 24 Oct. 2023
There are references to Lionel Messi and Peruvian talk-show host Laura Bozzo and Puerto Rican heartthrob Jay Wheeler.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2023
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Tabitha Britt, Peoplemag, 19 Nov. 2023
But by the third movie, Efron had truly mastered the art of communicating Troy’s anguish through song and dance with a level of intensity and theatrical flair perhaps unmatched by any DCOM heartthrob that has come before or after him.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
He’s been around since the first season of Netflix’s Spanish hit, captivating viewers via his tender romance with heartthrob Ander, played by Arón Piper, and the jarring disapproval his character faces in his Muslim household.
—Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2023
The song got the music video treatment, shocking fans once again with Sivan dressing in drag (looking fabulous) and featuring shirtless heartthrob Ross Lynch.
—TIME, 13 Oct. 2023
In one fun moment, Brown pops into the frame and makes a series of flirtatious winks at the camera as his embraces his boy-band heartthrob status.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
The film opens with a lonely cowboy (Millennial heartthrob Manu Ríos) singing fado, the Portuguese song of longing and melancholy.
—Armond White, National Review, 27 Oct. 2023
Some of the general clues have included that someone is a Grammy-winning global superstar, another is a Hollywood heartthrob, while yet another mystery celeb is a sporting hero.
—Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 24 Oct. 2023
There are references to Lionel Messi and Peruvian talk-show host Laura Bozzo and Puerto Rican heartthrob Jay Wheeler.
—Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heartthrob.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near heartthrob
Cite this Entry
“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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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
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