Word
throwback
Phoneticsthrow·back
US/ˈθɹoʊˌbæk/
UK/θɹˈəʊbæk/
Definition
n. something that reminds you of the past or looks like an older style. You use it when a person, song, or fashion choice feels like it belongs to an earlier time.
n. a person or thing that is similar to someone or something from the past; a reversion to an earlier type or characteristic. Often used in casual contexts to describe nostalgic media or fashion.
Examples
“That old leather jacket is a total throwback.”
“The band's new album is a deliberate throwback to the synth-pop sound of the 1980s.”
“While the architecture of the new library is modern, the interior wood paneling serves as a charming throwback to the original Victorian building that once stood on the site.”
Examples
simple
“That old leather jacket is a total throwback.”
contextual
“The band's new album is a deliberate throwback to the synth-pop sound of the 1980s.”
complex
“While the architecture of the new library is modern, the interior wood paneling serves as a charming throwback to the original Victorian building that once stood on the site.”
Usage
Often used as a modifier in the phrase 'throwback Thursday' or followed by the preposition 'to'.
Real-World Examples
“Even the way he leans on his bat at the non-striker's end is a throwback to his father.” Etymology
Deverbal from throw back.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/throwback