AtavismA reappearance of an earlier characteristic after it seemed lost. refers to the return of an older traitA distinctive quality or feature of an organism or thing. or feature that had disappeared in a line of developmentThe process of growing, changing, or progressing over time.. It is most often used in biology, but it can also be used more broadly for something that seems to come from an earlier stage or time.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈætəˌvɪzəm/
Easy pronunciation: AT-uh-VIZ-um (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress falls on the first syllable, with a secondary stress on the third syllable.
Noun meaning a reappearance of an earlier characteristic.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Atavism Meaning
the return of an old trait or feature
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
Example: The scientist described the extra toe as an atavism, a trait that had reappeared from an earlier ancestor.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- reversion — Used for a return to an earlier state or trait.
- throwback — Works as a general synonym for something that resembles an earlier form or ancestor.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Atavism Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- reversion
- throwback
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse atavism with evolution in general, but it specifically means the return of an older trait.
- It is also different from simple resemblance; the idea is that an earlier characteristic reappears.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does atavism mean?
Atavism means the return of an older characteristic that had been absent for a time.
What are the synonyms of atavism?
The main synonyms are reversion and throwback, depending on the context.
Is atavism only a biology word?
No. It is most common in biology, but it can also be used more generally for a return to an earlier type or pattern.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-20. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.