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

Nissan found a way to make the seventh-generation Z car even more of a throwback. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

During Eden’s birth month in 2023, Brolin took a trip down memory lane with a throwback photo of the father-daughter duo. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Completing that look are throwback wheels on white-letter tires and a very functional black soft top. — New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026

The Ras El Hanout Cauliflower Bowl is a colorful throwback to that era, where lovely veggies top a chickpea salad that’s served with a small bit of pita for scooping. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Sep. 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
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

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