throwback
Americannoun
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throwbacks
plural
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
Nike has been trying to sell off casual throwback sneakers, like Dunks and Air Force 1s, that have fallen out of style.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
Slate was one of the first news outlets I read regularly, so I’m really enjoying the birthday throwback.
From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026
Why it’s worth seeing: “La Bola Negra” is a throwback to the kind of emotional film Hollywood now rarely takes a risk on—that’s why it’s destined to be in Oscar contention.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026
His bouncer to dismiss Babar Azam on day four was a throwback of Archer's fearsome debut on the same ground.
From BBC ● Aug. 30, 2026
Even the kitchen was a throwback to an earlier time.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Automakers are leaning on appearance tweaks and special features to freshen up their lineups, rolling out retro throwbacks, special-edition paint packages and niche trim levels to keep buyers interested.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Her paintings contain visual throwbacks to the gilding and draperies of Renaissance paintings, yet also represent stars from films and pop culture.
From New York Times ● Mar. 20, 2024
The black ink images of La Virgen de Guadalupe, theater masks, a pair of dice and Ace playing cards were throwbacks to his high school days.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2024
And it would be easy to assume the rise in musical throwbacks is simply down to young people rediscovering older music online.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2023
Strangely, it occurred to Phillips for a fleeting lapse of time that old Varret had been reasonably astute in his selections, if he desired violent-tempered throwbacks.
From This World Must Die! by Horace Brown Fyfe
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