flashback

1 of 2

noun

flash·​back ˈflash-ˌbak 

1

: a recession of flame to an unwanted position (as into a blowpipe)

2

a

: interruption of chronological sequence (as in a film or literary work) by interjection of events of earlier occurrence

also : an instance of flashback

b

: a past incident recurring vividly in the mind

flash back

2 of 2

verb

flashed back; flashing back; flashes back

intransitive verb

1

: to focus one's mind on or vividly remember a past time or incident

—usually used with to

flashed back to my childhood

2

: to employ a flashback (as in a film)

—usually used with to

Synonyms

Verb

• hark back (to)
• harken back (to)
• hearken back (to)
• mind [chiefly dialect]
• recall
• recollect
• remember
• reminisce (about)
• reproduce
• think (of)

Examples of flashback in a Sentence

Noun

The character's childhood was described in a series of flashbacks.

He's having flashbacks of his days in the war.

Verb

the scent made me flash back to the days of my mother's home-cooked Sunday dinners

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The film takes place over one week as Callas unravels physically and psychologically, interspersed with flashbacks of the past. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Nov. 2024

Soon after, a flashback to five months prior introduces us to Noh In-ji (Dr. Romantic’s Seo Hyun-jin), an employee at New Wedding (NM), a mysterious company that provides professional spouses for the richest of the rich. —Kayti Burt, TIME, 29 Nov. 2024

Verb

Tony flashed back into my life recently when my son sent me a post telling Tony’s story. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 14 Nov. 2024

The trailer then flashes back to an animated look at Megan growing up and her bond with her mother. —Hilary Lewis, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1903, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1944, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

flashback

noun

flash·​back ˈflash-ˌbak 

1

: the introduction of a past event into a story or motion picture

also : this past event

2

: a past incident recurring clearly in the mind