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

The Miami Dolphins close out training camp having had the type of camp that was a throwback to the Tony Sparano days, which was an era of the team that leaned on toughness and physicality. —Omar Kelly august 22, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2025

Hopkins, 87, wore the Face Wrap in the clay colorway around his chin, neck, and ears in a throwback to his Silence of the Lambs character, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, who wore a tan face mask to prevent him from biting others while imprisoned. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025

Customers who book their whole trip on the Getaways platform will also be able to check up to two bags for free – a throwback to Southwest's former bag policy. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025

In a sport increasingly derided for producing robotic players, the France international is a throwback. —Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Aug. 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