throwback

[throh-bak]

noun

1. Biology.

   1. the reversion to an ancestral or earlier type or character; atavism.

   2. an individual having the characteristics of a remote ancestor or primitive type; an example of atavism.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. a setback or check.

throwback

/ ˈθrəʊˌbæk /

noun

1. 1. a person, animal, or plant that has the characteristics of an earlier or more primitive type

   2. a reversion to such an organism

verb

1. (intr) to revert to an earlier or more primitive type

2. to force to depend (on)

   the crisis threw her back on her faith in God

Word History and Origins

Origin of throwback¹

First recorded in 1855–60; 1915–20 throwback for def. 1; noun use of verb phrase throw back

Example Sentences

The feature allows users to save photos and videos shared initially for 24 hours or less on the platform, with users prompted to re-post them as a memory or "throwback" at a later date.

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Because the song was Where Is My Husband!, a blistering pop-funk throwback that became an instant earworm.

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I’m ready for “The Pitt” to make me cry again should the throwback medical drama prevail for drama series.

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He’s an unabashed lover of hair metal, a throwback genre defined by its performers’ androgynous costumes that, in Peacemaker’s estimation, made them “real men, because they weren’t afraid to be women!”

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Speaking to Brides.com, Benjamin Khordipour of Estate Diamond Jewelry said the ring was “a throwback to the Victorian Era, with the beautiful, delicate and decorative gold work.”

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Related Words

• estate 
• gift 
• tradition