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 Hollywood heartthrob wants to bring people together—and his love language might just be his key ingredient. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 2 Apr. 2025 That Badgley is a heartthrob adds to the effectiveness of the series. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025 One thing many commenters agreed on, however, was that Clooney's status as a heartthrob had not changed. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025 At the time, the soon-to-be interstellar heartthrob had just started a new bartending gig — one that would be short-lived. Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 11 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!