heartthrob

noun

heart·throb | \ ˈhärt-ˌthräb

How to pronounce heartthrob (audio)

\

Definition of heartthrob

1 : the throb of a heart

2a : 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 Not the Oscar winner, the NBA MVP, or the Hulu heartthrob. — Jill Newman, Town & Country, "How Jewelers Rose to the Occasion in 2021," 25 Jan. 2021 With the one-sided kiss between Adam Brody and Carey Mulligan, there’s something so extra horrifying about it, because Adam is such a heartthrob. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Emerald Fennell Breaks Down That Promising Young Woman Ending," 28 Dec. 2020 The Cuomo Show continued, every day, for more than a hundred days, and, in the process, the Governor became an unlikely heartthrob. — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, "The Year in Quarantine Viewing," 30 Dec. 2020 Eddie Ogen is the ultimate baseball heartthrob at his school, but soon figures out his passion for cooking after taking a class. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "The 60 Best Disney Channel Movies of All Time," 10 Dec. 2020 No word whether his quarantining pal Camila Cabello will join the Canadian pop heartthrob for the performance — a benefit for the nonprofit Shawn Mendes Foundation, which supports voices of young leaders driving positive change. — Star Tribune, "Start your Oscar ballot with 'Mank' and 'Metal': Best things to watch this week," 3 Dec. 2020 Harry Styles is many things: a rock star, a Hollywood heartthrob, a fashion influence, Stevie Nicks's love child. — Chelsey Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, "Harry Styles Once Dogsat for The Crown's Emma Corrin," 18 Nov. 2020 The first chorus finds the satirical artist listing the qualities of a heartthrob like Trump. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Randy Rainbow Helps Voters Decide Who's 'The One' With Hilarious New Debate Parody," 30 Oct. 2020 His answer was a recent-for-QT discovery from the '70s called Devil Times Five (AKA People Toys), a story of murderous youngsters whose cast included child actor — and later pop star-heartthrob — Leif Garrett. — Clark Collis, EW.com, "Quentin Tarantino gives us his Halloween movie-watching recommendation," 24 Oct. 2020

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about heartthrob

Dictionary Entries near heartthrob

Statistics for heartthrob

Last Updated

13 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 28 Feb. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for heartthrob

heartthrob

noun

English Language Learners Definition of heartthrob

: an attractive and usually famous man

See the full definition for heartthrob in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Comments on heartthrob

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

WORD OF THE DAY

deference

Listen to the pronunciation of deference

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

February 2021 Words of the Day Quiz

Which is a synonym of perdure?

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ