flashback

[ flash-bak ]

noun

1. a device in the narrative of a motion picture, novel, etc., by which an event or scene taking place before the present time in the narrative is inserted into the chronological structure of the work.
2. an event or scene so inserted.
3. Also called flash·back hal·lu·ci·no·sis [flash, -bak h, uh, -loo-s, uh, -, noh, -sis]. Psychiatry.
   1. the spontaneous recurrence of visual hallucinations or other effects of a drug, as LSD, long after the use of the drug has been discontinued.
   2. recurrent and abnormally vivid recollection of a traumatic experience, as a battle, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations.

flashback

/ ˈflæʃˌbæk /

noun

1. a transition in a novel, film, etc, to an earlier scene or event

verb

1. intr, adverb to return in a novel, film, etc, to a past event

Word History and Origins

Origin of flashback¹

1910–15; 1965–70 flashback fordef 3; noun use of verb phrase flash back

Example Sentences

Some of the earliest trends on Instagram were “Throwback Thursday” and “Flashback Friday.”

From Slate

“It gave me a little bit of a flashback to 2020,” Cole said.

From Los Angeles Times

Flashback to Fernandomania, and what was that like?

From Los Angeles Times

The one inspiring my question is a character’s flashback to her first kiss outside a movie theater.

From Salon

Sure, it may feel like a bad acid flashback.

From Salon

Related Words

• hallucination
• memory
• recollection