heartthrob

[hahrt-throb]

noun

a rapid beat or pulsation of the heart.

a passionate or sentimental emotion.

sweetheart.

Origin of heartthrob

First recorded in 1840–50; heart + throb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for heart-throb

Contemporary Examples of heart-throb

Fame came with ER in the mid-1990s and Clooney's role as heart-throb doctor Doug Ross.
Clooney: A Constant Charmer at the Altar
Tim Teeman
September 28, 2014

Historical Examples of heart-throb

In these great centers one can feel the heart-throb of civilization.
Birdseye Views of Far Lands
James T. Nichols
"Pray do not be disturbed," Faxon returned with a heart-throb of gladness.
The Heatherford Fortune
Mrs. Georgie Sheldon
It gratified her woman's vanity; it did not stir her to one heart-throb.
The Purple Heights
Marie Conway Oemler
But my heart-throb of childish delight was checked, mid-beat.
Vanguards of the Plains
Margaret McCarter
As the heart-throb slowed, his muscles slackened and obeyed his will, but yet he felt that something was amiss.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"
Douglas English

British Dictionary definitions for heart-throb

heart-throb

noun

an object of infatuation

a heart beat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for heart-throb

also heartthrob, 1839, from heart (n.) + throb (n.). Of persons who inspire romantic feelings, from 1928.