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

The two-way street means Shepard is rooting for her as well and was similarly unbothered by her onscreen romance with fellow 2000s heartthrob Adam Brody in their rom-com series, Nobody Wants This. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 18 Feb. 2025

Some fans gushed over Pierre and even edited themselves with the heartthrob actor in the clip. —Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025

Over the weekend, a 30-second preview of what to expect for this summer’s upcoming action film was released, and in it, the 61-year-old heartthrob made our hearts race. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, with his brooding sensuality, Morrow brilliantly sends up the prototype of the Shelley heartthrob. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 3 Feb. 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