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

In the hours after Einbinder’s remarks went viral, and other stars like Javier Bardem made comments about Gaza on the Emmys red carpet, Gervais posted a throwback to his 2020 Golden Globes monologue on X/Twitter. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025

Wilson’s throwback performance against the Cowboys was impressive, but the G-men still lost. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2025

Mea Culpa is Perry at his most knowingly silly, and a throwback to erotic thrillers of decades past. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2025

In celebration of their 32nd wedding anniversary in 2023, Johnson shared this cute throwback of the young lovebirds in a video tribute to his wife. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025

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
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

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