# heartbreaker

/hˈɑːtbɹeɪkɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heartbreaker
Updated: 2026-10-17

## Definition

a person who makes someone fall in love and then leaves them feeling sad and disappointed. You often hear it in songs and stories about love.

For teachers: a person who causes romantic disappointment by ending a relationship or failing to return affection; often extended to a highly attractive person whose charm invites such attachment.

## Examples

- He has a reputation as a real heartbreaker in school.
- She avoids dating the new guitarist because everyone says he is a heartbreaker who never calls back.
- The novel's central heartbreaker charms every character he meets, leaving a trail of unsent letters and half-finished conversations that reveal his fear of commitment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.