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

Even the presence of Vaughn feels like a throwback. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026

And, in a throwback to his 1970 solo debut, McCartney and its 1980s sequel, McCartney II, the upcoming LP is credited solely to McCartney, who played the majority of the instruments on the album. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 26 Mar. 2026

So what could the throwback to 2016 signal? —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2026

Enhancing baseball’s local color is also a bit of a throwback strategy—which itself has been a key element in NBC’s NBA coverage. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Mar. 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
• 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