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.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average, the market’s throwback benchmark, did indeed touch a new high that day.
Through throwback posts, people have been traveling back to the year when dog and flower crown Snapchat filters, Instagram eyebrows, the mannequin challenge and the Chainsmokers were everywhere.
From Los Angeles Times
Early in her career, she railed against being pigeon-holed as an R&B artist, when her music spanned genres like pop, alternative and folk, alongside throwback soul.
From BBC
For many young Mexicans, the supposed curse of Malinche seems a distant concern, a throwback to another generation, another Mexico.
From Los Angeles Times
Long reserved for women or military dress, brooches adorned men's chests during Milan Fashion Week, a throwback to a bygone era but with jewellery now signalling individuality, not just status.
From Barron's
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.
