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

It may be branded a Gen Z series, but FX’s Adults is sneakily quite a throwback. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026

And then there’s Chandler Simpson, a throwback speedster who led the AL with 46 steals and is an absolute weapon/distraction on the bases. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

If Hollister keeps returning to its past after the anniversary, that would be a pretty strong sign that nostalgia is becoming part of the brand’s longer-term strategy rather than a one-time throwback. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

That’s to say nothing of the distinctive style, trippy visuals, and throwback ’80s soundtrack that helped make Donnie Darko a tough experience to shake. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 Oct. 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