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.
Other team owners include Hollywood heartthrob Eva Longoria, F1 driver Pierre Gasly, and soccer greats Robert Lewandowski, Sergio Agüero, and Lionel Messi. Vitas Carosella, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 Gascón finally broke through as a soap opera heartthrob, first in Spain with a recurring role in the late ’90s series El Súper and later in the telenovela-mad nation of Mexico. Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025 This time, the role of an aging legend is occupied by Tom Cruise’s fellow former heartthrob and Interview with the Vampire co-star Brad Pitt, who plays an F1 veteran who comes out of retirement to train a young hotshot (Damson Idris). A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 Chevrolet’s famed Tri-Five automobiles—built in 1955, 1956, and 1957—were models that established themselves as automotive heartthrobs in their time, and even more so over the course of ensuing decades. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 20 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near heartthrob

Cite this Entry

“Heartthrob.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartthrob. Accessed 23 Jan. 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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