heartthrob

noun

heart·​throb ˈhärt-ˌthräb How to pronounce heartthrob (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Friday, the Blackpink superstar and former One Direction heartthrob teamed up for the dreamy duet, which dropped alongside an otherworldly video. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025 The heartthrob of the season has a six-pack stacked on a six-pack. Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025 Following his teen heartthrob days, Hunter had a career renaissance in the 1980s thanks to camp classics like Grease 2, Lust in the Dust and Polyester. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 While the mystery collaborator’s identity remains under wraps, a report in The Korea Herald suggests that Jisoo is teaming up with none other than Zayn Malik, the British heartthrob who made his name with chart-topping boy band One Direction. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heartthrob

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartthrob was in 1796

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Cite this Entry

“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

heartthrob

noun
heart·​throb -ˌthräb How to pronounce heartthrob (audio)
1
: the throb of a heart
2
: a sentimental emotion : passion
b
: sweetheart
also : an attractive and usually famous man

More from Merriam-Webster on heartthrob

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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