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

On play one, Moore reads the tight end throwback pass and disrupts the catch (or else the tight end might still be running). —Dane Brugler, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025

However, the 1500 Lowered, as its name suggests, is a throwback to an earlier era. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025

On July 29, the couple celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary by posting a series of sweet throwback photos that counted down the decades together. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025

There’s a throwback feel to much of the Strays’ work — shades of vintage rock ‘n’ roll, jukebox country-and-western and Southern soul. —Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 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