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

Dylan Efron And Daniella Karagach Dylan Efron is the 33-year-old younger brother of High School Musical star and heartthrob Zac Efron. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

At the height of his heartthrob reign in the early aughts, Padalecki also starred in millennial nostalgic classics such as House of Wax and Friday the 13th. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 13 Sep. 2025

For some, he’s even emerged as a sort of anti-hero heartthrob. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2025

Feldman had broken through a year earlier in The Goonies (1985), and subsequently became known as one of the Two Coreys — the other being young heartthrob Corey Haim. —Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for heartthrob

• kebab
• nawab
• blob
• bob
• cob
• daub
• fob
• glob
• gob
• hob
• job
• knob

Kids 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