heartthrob
AmericanUsage
What does heartthrob mean? A heartthrob is someone, especially a pop culture figure, who is considered an object of romantic desire. Traditionally, the word has been almost exclusively applied to young men. The word is especially used in the phrase teen heartthrob, referring to a young person, especially a musician or actor, who is the object of teenagers’ romantic affection, especially that of teenage girls. Teen heartthrobs are sometimes teenagers themselves, though they’re often in their 20s or sometimes even older. This popular sense of heartthrob comes from the use of the word to mean a sweetheart—someone’s romantic partner. Less commonly, heartthrob can be used as another word for a rapid heartbeat. Based on this meaning, it can also be used figuratively to refer to a passionate emotion. Neither of these senses are commonly used anymore. Example: Every generation has a heartthrob idolized for their good looks, talent, and charismatic personality.
Etymology
Origin of heartthrob
Explanation
A heartthrob is someone, usually a hunky guy, who is so attractive that he makes our hearts throb in our chests. A heartthrob is often someone famous like a movie star. The word heartthrob has been used to describe someone who makes people feel romantic since the 1920’s. It’s officially gender neutral, but it usually describes a man. Heartthrobs are movie stars, musicians or any celebrity that people want to smooch. It could also be the cute high school football player that all the girls have crushes on. The first cited heartthrob (1839 in the OED) was simply "a pulsation of the heart." It wasn't long till this morphed into something that causes the heart to throb (perhaps abnormally so), and soon thereafter, into someone who causes the heart to throb with desire and longing: that's what we usually mean by heartthrob today.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But the 30-year-old star will have to face-off against DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan, although Irish heartthrob Paul Mescal was not nominated for his role as Shakespeare in "Hamnet".
From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026
Across that cult hit’s two seasons, Van Der Beek dealt with the problem’s that plague an aging teen heartthrob.
From Salon • Feb. 11, 2026
He might have appeared on Michael McIntyre's Big Show, but Buckinghamshire-born Nash jokes that he is also well known for simply being an "Instagram heartthrob".
From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026
South Korea is globally renowned for its beauty, from heartthrob idols and picturesque actresses to elaborate skin-care regimens and world-class plastic surgeons.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2026
Chris Cornell of Soundgarden dresses like that and he’s a heartthrob.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
