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
Cameron, who many in Bachelor Nation have deemed a heartthrob, is no stranger to having his dating life in the spotlight.
—
The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024
Shane West is looking back on his days as a teen heartthrob.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
In 1960, Adlai remained the heartthrob of liberal Democrats; many of them, including former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, favored giving him a third chance.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Easily identified by a swaggering silhouette that may include epaulets, a belt and a double-breasted front, the best men’s trench coats can instantly transform the wearer into a film noir anti-hero or a French new wave heartthrob.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
In short order, the director hits on her, a screenwriter (Jude Law) hits on her, and a heartthrob star (Diego Luna) hits on her.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
Travolta rose to fame in the ’70s for his role as Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter, and blew up as a heartthrob thanks to his starring roles in Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), and Urban Cowboy (1980).
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2024
The shot immortalized the shirt in TV costume history and jumpstarted Firth’s reputation as a British heartthrob.
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Leo Woodall’s role as Dexter in One Day secured his status as a Netflix heartthrob — something his girlfriend Meghann Fahy has known for a while now.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024
The Enquirer, 20 Apr. 2024
Shane West is looking back on his days as a teen heartthrob.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
In 1960, Adlai remained the heartthrob of liberal Democrats; many of them, including former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, favored giving him a third chance.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
Easily identified by a swaggering silhouette that may include epaulets, a belt and a double-breasted front, the best men’s trench coats can instantly transform the wearer into a film noir anti-hero or a French new wave heartthrob.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024
In short order, the director hits on her, a screenwriter (Jude Law) hits on her, and a heartthrob star (Diego Luna) hits on her.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024
Travolta rose to fame in the ’70s for his role as Vinnie Barbarino on Welcome Back, Kotter, and blew up as a heartthrob thanks to his starring roles in Saturday Night Fever (1977), Grease (1978), and Urban Cowboy (1980).
—Katie Rife, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2024
The shot immortalized the shirt in TV costume history and jumpstarted Firth’s reputation as a British heartthrob.
—Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024
Leo Woodall’s role as Dexter in One Day secured his status as a Netflix heartthrob — something his girlfriend Meghann Fahy has known for a while now.
—Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heartthrob.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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