throwback

1 of 2

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak 

1

: one that is suggestive of or suited to an earlier time or style

his manners were a throwback to a more polite era

2

a

: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism

b

: an instance or product of atavistic reversion

throw back

2 of 2

verb

threw back; thrown back; throwing back; throws back

transitive verb

1

: to delay the progress or advance of : check

2

: to cause to rely : make dependent

… they are thrown back upon … native intelligence …

—Michael Novak

3

: reflect

intransitive verb

: to revert to an earlier type or phase

Examples of throwback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Other Saturday highlights included an indie throwback set from Passion Pit, a prideful performance from Rainbow Kitten Surprise, powerful vocals from Teddy Swims in the rain and dance music energy from Rüfüs Du Sol. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026

Screenshots show the '55 Vapid Stanier and a matching garage, throwback outfits and hairstyles, and a gun skin patterned after Tommy Vercetti's palm-tree button-up shirt. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Democrats may be looking at a different kind of red wave this year based on Tuesday night’s primary results, a throwback to when the color red signified not the Republican Party, but socialism. — W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026

This film almost feels like a throwback to the ‘90s, in a refreshing way. — Marlow Stern, Variety, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Verb

1656, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for throwback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

throwback

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak 

: something that has changed back to an earlier type or phase

Medical Definition

throwback

noun

throw·​back ˈthrō-ˌbak 

1

: reversion to an earlier type or phase : atavism

2

: an instance or product of atavistic reversion