heartthrob

noun heart·throb \ ˈhärt-ˌthräb \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of heartthrob

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

See heartthrob defined for English-language learners

See heartthrob defined for kids

Recent Examples of heartthrob from the Web

Move over, Archie Andrews — there’s a new heartthrob in town.

— michele corriston, PEOPLE.com, "See Riverdale Star Camila Mendes' Hunky New Boyfriend, Victor Houston," 2 July 2018
This week's view count for the music video featuring the two young heartthrobs exceeded 2.4 million times and will likely increase as the plot thickens in the series.

— billboard japan, Billboard, "TWICE's 'Candy Pop' Rules Four Metrics to Take Top Spot on Japan Hot 100," 18 Feb. 2018
Jacob Sartorius only started his YouTube channel three months ago, but in that short time, the Music.ly heartthrob has amassed 1.5 million unwavering followers.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "Jacob Sartorius Reveals He's Adopted in Uplifting New Video Blog," 24 Aug. 2016
The 25-year-old starts his tour at a local donut shop (unfortunately, there isn’t a Pop’s Diner in real life) and enjoys one of the perks of being a modern-day teen heartthrob: No charge!

— michaela bechler, Vogue, "24 Hours With Cole Sprouse: The," 17 May 2018
Two weeks into the series, a five-minute clip introduced the heartthrob of the football team.

— d. t. max, The New Yorker, "“SKAM,” the Radical Teen Drama That Unfolds One Post at a Time," 23 Jan. 2017
Until last week, Prince William was 35 — the former teenage heartthrob, now bald father of three.

— sam anderson, New York Times, "New Sentences: From Helen DeWitt’s ‘Some Trick’," 27 June 2018
These black-and-white, all-American snapshots gave us a peek into the 1975 bohemian Los Angeles lifestyle in which the now mega movie star was raised—a seemingly stark contrast from his current role of Hollywood heartthrob and A-list actor.

— sarah lindig, Harper's BAZAAR, "Leonardo DiCaprio Opens Up About His Very "Bohemian" Upbringing," 7 Feb. 2016
Move over, Arthur Chatto — there’s another royal heartthrob making a splash on Instagram.

— diana pearl, PEOPLE.com, "Meet the Sexy Royal Who Just Landed a Major Modeling Contract," 27 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heartthrob.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of heartthrob

1796

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

HEARTTHROB Defined for English Language Learners

heartthrob

noun

Definition of heartthrob for English Language Learners

: an attractive and usually famous man

Learn More about heartthrob

See words that rhyme with heartthrob Nglish: Translation of heartthrob for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up heartthrob? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

heartthrob

Definition of heartthrob

Recent Examples of heartthrob from the Web

First Known Use of heartthrob

HEARTTHROB Defined for English Language Learners

heartthrob

Definition of heartthrob for English Language Learners

Learn More about heartthrob

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

'Cliché': We’ve Heard It All Before

Some Notes On 'Asshat'

A Few Rounds with 'Happy Hour'

Ask the Editors

Ghost Word

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

The Eponym Quiz

Semantic Drift Quiz

True or False?

Add Diction

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Trending: WaPo: Doocy 'Incomparably Sequacious'

Ghost Word

heartthrob

Definition of heartthrob

Recent Examples of heartthrob from the Web

First Known Use of heartthrob

HEARTTHROB Defined for English Language Learners

heartthrob

Definition of heartthrob for English Language Learners

Learn More about heartthrob

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Difference Between Dependent and Independent Clauses

The Eponym Quiz

Come Back Here With That: 10 Fun Words for Stealing

Trending: WaPo: Doocy 'Incomparably Sequacious'

Ghost Word