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 couple’s sexy and loving chemistry was a key element in the series while also establishing Grimes as a heartthrob.
—
Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
During the show’s wildly popular first season, Robby was treated as a swaggering, tortured heartthrob by the viewers who turned this HBO Max original into an Emmy-winning success.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
In 1955, Universal arranged for closeted gay heartthrob Rock Hudson to be married off to his agent’s secretary amid swirling speculation about his sexuality.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Chokachi will recur on the series as OG heartthrob Cody Madison, who is returning to the beach.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartthrob
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Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026
During the show’s wildly popular first season, Robby was treated as a swaggering, tortured heartthrob by the viewers who turned this HBO Max original into an Emmy-winning success.
—Esther Zuckerman, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026
In 1955, Universal arranged for closeted gay heartthrob Rock Hudson to be married off to his agent’s secretary amid swirling speculation about his sexuality.
—Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Chokachi will recur on the series as OG heartthrob Cody Madison, who is returning to the beach.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for heartthrob
Cite this Entry
“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
