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:
It’s also a wonderful throwback to the simple, no-frills 1990s indie filmmaking, strongly associated with New York, in which both Mr. Turturro and Mr. Buscemi made their names.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Seeing Turturro back on the streets of New York alongside longtime collaborators adds to the film’s throwback charm.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
The best that can be said for the Roadster event was that it was, for some, a guilty-pleasure throwback to the good old days of Tesla stagecraft.
From Slate ● Oct. 19, 2026
A throwback innings continued as he left well throughout day two, largely scoring square or behind the wicket.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
The basement rec room was a throwback to the sixties: shag carpeting, modern furniture, a small bar jutting out from the wall, and a Ping-Pong table.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
From Gen Z to Boomers, listeners across generations are increasingly embracing throwbacks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026
On March 4 and 6, Disneyland is hosting a ’90s Nite, featuring throwbacks to Disney films and music from the decade, as well as processional that will highlight “The Lion King” and “Mulan.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2024
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
For more than 20 years, the channel has nurtured and promoted alternative music, introducing new fans to the scene and indulging old ones with iconic throwbacks.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2024
There might be temperamental as well as physical "throwbacks."
From The Precipice by Elia Wilkinson Peattie
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