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Definition of heartthrob

heartthrob

/ˈhɑːrtˌθrɑːb/
heart · throb
Plural:heartthrobs
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heartthrob Lexical Profile

heartthrob Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A famous and attractive person, typically a young male actor or musician, with whom many people are romantically infatuated.

Example

"The young actor quickly became a teen heartthrob after starring in the popular summer romance film."

2

A pulsation or beat of the heart, especially one associated with strong emotion or passion.

Example

"In classic poetry, a sudden heartthrob often symbolizes the first moment of romantic awakening."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for heartthrob

• Nearby Words

heartstoppingly
heartstring
heartstrings
heartthrob
heartwarming
heartwarmingly
heartworm

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the early 19th century as a compound of 'heart' and 'throb', originally referring literally to a physical heartbeat before evolving in the 1920s into entertainment slang for a romantic idol.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heartthrob. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heartthrob
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