noun

heartthrob

HAHT-throb

Heartthrob (noun) means a very attractive, famous person, especially an actor or singer, who is widely admired romantically. Example: “In the 1990s he was a teen heartthrob with posters on every wall.”

noun

A very attractive, famous person, especially an actor or singer, who is widely admired romantically.

"In the 1990s he was a teen heartthrob with posters on every wall."

"The film's young heartthrob had fans screaming outside the cinema."

How to use heartthrob

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA celebrity so attractive that fans' hearts practically "throb" over them.

Common pairings

teen heartthrob a Hollywood heartthrob

Word forms

heartthrobs plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

In the 1990s he was a teen _____ with posters on every wall.

Etymology

From "heart" + "throb" (a pounding or racing beat) — the idea that just seeing this person makes your heart race.

Frequently asked questions

What does “heartthrob” mean?

The word “heartthrob” means a very attractive, famous person, especially an actor or singer, who is widely admired romantically. In plain terms, a celebrity so attractive that fans' hearts practically "throb" over them.

How do you pronounce “heartthrob”?

“Heartthrob” is pronounced HAHT-throb (/ˈhɑɹtˌθɹɑb/ in IPA).

How do you use “heartthrob” in a sentence?

Here is “heartthrob” used in a sentence: “In the 1990s he was a teen heartthrob with posters on every wall.”

What part of speech is “heartthrob”?

“Heartthrob” is a noun.

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Words that end with B