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.
Following his teen heartthrob days, Hunter had a career renaissance in the 1980s thanks to camp classics like Grease 2, Lust in the Dust and Polyester. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025 While the mystery collaborator’s identity remains under wraps, a report in The Korea Herald suggests that Jisoo is teaming up with none other than Zayn Malik, the British heartthrob who made his name with chart-topping boy band One Direction. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025 Former teen heartthrob Devon Sawa briefly appeared at the end of Casper, playing the titular ghost's human form. Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025 Cheerleaders followed suit, along with a live performance by Milo Throtton, a French singer also known as Asphalt, who, dressed as a football player, seemed to embody the high-school heartthrob in the narrative. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 9 Oct. 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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