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.
The actor rose to fame as a teen heartthrob in the 1990s for his roles in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, The Virgin Suicides, and more. Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 7 May 2025 The headliner on Friday was Ryan Garcia, a lanky heartthrob from Victorville, California, who was one of the sport’s brightest stars when he was knocked out, two years ago, by Gervonta Davis, a stocky virtuoso from Baltimore. Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 May 2025 One-part disfigured mercenary and, now, one-part internet heartthrob, The Ghoul is rightfully the face (or lack thereof) of Amazon’s new Fallout series. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 6 Apr. 2025 But in the new film, the unnamed swain has been replaced by a Robin Hood-style heartthrob named Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who leads a defiant group of bandits that steals from the monarchy and gives to the poor. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 24 May. 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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