hark back
verb
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Hark Back Got Its Start in Hunting
Hark, a very old word meaning "to listen," was used as a cry in hunting. The master of the hunt might cry "Hark! Forward!" or "Hark! Back!" The cries became set phrases, both as nouns and verbs. Thus, a "hark back" was a retracing of a route by dogs and hunters, and to "hark back" was to turn back along the path. From its use in hunting, the verb soon acquired its current figurative meanings. The variants hearken and harken (also very old words meaning “to listen”) are also used, with and without back, as synonyms of hark back.
Examples of hark back in a Sentence
Tim Chan, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2025
From the clattering dishes, to the kitschy decor, to staple breakfast fare, to a barebones website, the OPH harks back to diners of old.
—Greg Mellen, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
The visual design of the new BMW iX3 harks back to the original Neue Klasse at the front, with a more subdued grille than recent models.
—James Morris, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Prada’s signature triangle motif, which harks back to the brand’s founder Mario Prada, is a recognizable element of the lineup.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hark back
Cite this Entry
“Hark back.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hark%20back. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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