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Glite Dictionary
heartthrob

heartthrob

16 5.4
A famous person, usually a man, who many people feel strong romantic attraction to
  • noun
  • /ˈhɑrtˌθrɑb/
  • Informal
translation icon : galán
  • In a few short years, Buchanan had become London's foremost heartthrob.
  • teen heartthrob
  • Hollywood heartthrob
  • former heartthrob

If anyone spits on me, I don't care if it's heartthrob Harry Styles, right?

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Examples

  • Justin Bieber is determined to prove that he's not just another teen heartthrob.

    Blog text (18)

  • Sort of a Steve McQueen, heartthrob type.

    The Riverbank (2012)

  • His new album "Believe" is a step to shake off the heartthrob status.

    Blog text (18)

  • You're gonna be a heartthrob your whole life.

    The Happening (2008)

  • Ladies, if ever your Cuban heartthrob needed your votes on Dancing With The Stars, it is now!

    Blog text (26)

  • We have Hollywood heartthrob Chad Cassidy.

    Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts (2009)

  • And she's been seen dating one of the biggest heartthrobs on the planet, Justin Bieber.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Many young girls had posters of the pop star on their walls, declaring him a heartthrob in every magazine.

  • After starring in his latest romantic film, the actor quickly became a heartthrob among fans.

  • The local music scene's heartthrob, he captivated audiences with his charm and talent.

Synonyms

idol
vsheartthrob
151 3.2

A person many people admire or love too much

is admired intensely in a romantic or infatuated way rather than general adoration
dreamboat
vsheartthrob
  • Archaic
9 7.4

A very attractive person that others want romantically

is the object of intense romantic infatuation often with fame
swooner
vsheartthrob
  • Archaic
1 8.7

A person who is very attractive and makes others feel faint with excitement

is admired intensely often as a famous romantic figure
fascinator
vsheartthrob
1 7.9

Someone or something that attracts strong attention and admiration

is specifically the focus of intense romantic admiration rather than general interest
beau-catcher
vsheartthrob
  • Archaic
9.9

A person who attracts many people wanting to date them

is admired intensely as a famous romantic figure rather than merely attracting many

How Attractive

sex symbol
  • NSFW
13 3.8
heartthrob
  • Informal
16 5.4
attractive
680 1.0
crush
  • Informal
271 2.9

Surface Forms

heartthrob singular
heartthrobs plural

Morphology

heartthrob = heart + throb (semi-transparent) = heart + throb

The components 'heart' and 'throb' are literal and recognizable, but the compound's meaning as an attractive person is a metaphorical extension rather than a directly compositional meaning.

Etymology

The word heartthrob comes from heart ('heart') and throb ('to beat or pulse'), giving the picture of a heart that suddenly beats faster. So a heartthrob is a person, often a famous actor or singer, who makes people feel strong romantic feelings.