throwback
Americannoun
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Biology.
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the reversion to an ancestral or earlier type or character; atavism.
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an individual having the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type; an example of atavism.
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a person or thing that evokes memories or imitates something from the past (often used attributively): On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.
These chandeliers are designed as a throwback to those old-style candlelit lanterns.
On their anniversary, she took to social media with a throwback photo from their wedding reception.
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an act of throwing back.
A sudden ban on fish throwbacks could harm ecosystems, since a range of predator species are reliant on discarded fish as a food source.
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a setback or check.
noun
verb
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(intr) to revert to an earlier or more primitive type
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to force to depend (on)
the crisis threw her back on her faith in God
Etymology
Origin of throwback
First recorded in 1855–60; 1915–20 throwback for def. 1; noun use of verb phrase throw back
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.
Warm and insightful, “Fantasy Life” is a low-key throwback to the talky city-dweller comedies of Nicole Holofcener and Noah Baumbach.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Appearing in neutral tones like khaki and beige, the looks were a throwback to the grunge-inspired styles of the 90s.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026
Still, in the wake of adaptations such as 2012’s “Anna Karenina,” with Keira Knightley, and 2013’s “The Great Gatsby,” with Leonardo DiCaprio, that were all sizzle and flash, “Wuthering Heights” is a worthy throwback.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026
In a throwback to the 1990s, Ben Affleck returns for donut brand Dunkin' alongside Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc and Jason Alexander.
From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026
One day I interviewed a community activist who described a particular job program as a throwback to the Progressive Era.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
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.
