atavism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “atavism” mean?
The reappearance in an individual of a characteristic or trait from a remote ancestor, after several generations of absence.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The reappearance in an individual of a characteristic or trait from a remote ancestor, after several generations of absence; a biological throwback.
A reversion to an earlier, more primitive, or outdated style, mode of thought, or social behaviour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in definition or spelling. Usage is equally formal and academic in both variants.
Connotations
Neutral to negative, suggesting regression, primitivism, or an archaic survival. Can be used neutrally in biology.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general usage; slightly more common in academic biological or anthropological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “atavism” in a Sentence
N (The atavism was startling.)N + of + N (an atavism of ancient tribalism)N + to + N (an atavism to a more savage state)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “atavism” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The politician's rhetoric had an atavistic appeal to nationalist sentiment.
American English
- He felt an atavistic fear when he heard the howl in the dark woods.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might criticise a competitor's outdated strategy as 'economic atavism'.
Academic
Common in biology, genetics, anthropology, and history to describe evolutionary or cultural regression.
Everyday
Extremely rare; used for dramatic effect to describe a person's archaic behaviour or viewpoint.
Technical
Specific biological term for the recurrence of a trait from an ancestral form, e.g., 'The extra toe is an atavism in dogs.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “atavism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “atavism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “atavism”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'atavistic behaviour' is correct, not 'atavism behaviour').
- Using it for something simply old-fashioned but not a true reversion to a much older form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. In biological science, it is a neutral, descriptive term. In social/political commentary, it is often negative, implying an undesirable regression.
They are synonyms, but 'atavism' is more formal, academic, and often implies a deeper, more biological or ancestral reversion. 'Throwback' is more colloquial.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, a modern building deliberately constructed in a brutalist style could be called an architectural atavism.
The adjective is 'atavistic' (e.g., atavistic fears, atavistic impulses).
The reappearance in an individual of a characteristic or trait from a remote ancestor, after several generations of absence.
Atavism is usually formal, literary, academic in register.
Atavism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæt.ə.vɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæt̬.əˌvɪz.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A throwback to an earlier age”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'At A VIsit to the Museum' – you see something from the distant past.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS SPACE (a backward step in evolutionary or cultural development).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'atavism' used in its most precise, technical sense?