throwback

American  

[throh-bak] / ˈθroʊˌbæk /

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 British  

/ 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

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

Backed by a big, throwback live band, “Lost Me” beautifully papered over a failed relationship with an uncertain young bravado; “Backup Plan” gave his one-of-kind baritone room to roam and plead.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

It has been trying to offload its stockpiles of throwback casual sneakers, which have fallen out of favor.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

It is thought the salmon-pink colour is a throwback to Scotland's victory over Germany in a friendly match in 1999.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

In many ways, it’s a throwback to how wars used to be waged.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

One day I interviewed a community activist who described a particular job program as a throwback to the Progressive Era.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Related Words

• estate
• gift
• tradition