hark back

verb

harked back; harking back; harks back

: to turn back to an earlier topic or circumstance

: to go back to something as an origin or source

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Hark Back Got Its Start in Hunting

Hark, a very old word meaning "to listen," was used as a cry in hunting. The master of the hunt might cry "Hark! Forward!" or "Hark! Back!" The cries became set phrases, both as nouns and verbs. Thus, a "hark back" was a retracing of a route by dogs and hunters, and to "hark back" was to turn back along the path. From its use in hunting, the verb soon acquired its current figurative meanings. The variants hearken and harken (also very old words meaning “to listen”) are also used, with and without back, as synonyms of hark back.

Examples of hark back in a Sentence

the new stadium, designed for nostalgic appeal, harks back to the intimate ballparks of yore

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

After all, the actor made a cameo as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in Deadpool and Wolverine, harking back to his earlier role in two Fantastic Four movies in 2005 and 2007. —

Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024 And two years ago Stewart harked back to her early days as a model by wearing the finale look and accompanying the designer on the runway at his fashion show at The Pierre Hotel. —

Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 28 Oct. 2024 The latter is whom Lee tells PEOPLE she’s had the longest working relationship with, harking back to the EXO singer’s first solo release. —

Jenna Wang, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024 Jenner's look harked back to Lil' Kim's asymmetric jumpsuit at the VMAs. —

Leah Dolan, CNN, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hark back