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
Explanation
A return to an older way of doing something—or an old characteristic that reappears—is a throwback. If you like dressing in bell bottoms and leisure suits, your style is a throwback to the 1970s. The noun throwback can be a less-formal way to say atavism. Both words describe a reversion to something that was done (or existed) in the past. If you have red hair like your great-grandmother, you can call that trait a throwback. In sports, a throwback uniform is one that mimics an older style, worn by teams in the past. In biology, a throwback is a trait that returns after having been lost through evolution.
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.
New shows that look like classic ones—like “Poker Face,” returning for its second season on Throwback Thursdays, no less.
From Salon • May 8, 2025
His opponents for this weekend's fixtures are Joelah and Keke, the award winning presenters of 1Xtra's Throwback Party on BBC Sounds.
From BBC • Oct. 19, 2023
Throwback snacks include pizza nuggets with 24-month prosciutto, fish sticks served with caviar and tartar sauce; and high-end Lunchables.
From Washington Post • Dec. 29, 2022
Throwback jams and power duets set the tone for the second weekend of this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, featuring surprise appearances from Lizzo, Hayley Williams and Kendrick Lamar.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2022
Throwback to the rock-climbing monsters of an age long forgotten, it moved among the lesser stones with terrifying grace.
From The Mantooth by Leadem, Christopher
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.
