retcon
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
Usage
What does retcon mean? Retcon is an informal term for a revision made to an established story after the story was published or released, as in Fans were frustrated with the retcons that eliminated some of the TV series’ early characters. The term is a shortening of retroactive continuity. It is also used as a verb meaning to later revise an established story, as in I can’t believe they retconned a romance between the hero and the villain!Retcon is used mostly informally in reference to movies, television, video games, comic books, and similar types of entertainment with an ongoing story. A retcon is a plot point, reveal, or significant change that invalidates or changes the past of the story in order to maintain continuity within the whole of the story. Example: The fact that he had a son we never heard about does make sense, so I'm okay with the retcon.
Etymology
Origin of retcon
First recorded in 1980–85; a shortening of retroactive continuity
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It could no longer be about just the story, but an attempt to cash in on an identity retroactively, to retcon Dumbledore.
From Salon ● Apr. 20, 2022
It’s a complete bizarre retcon of the original mythology that makes no sense except to create an opportunity for Laurie and Hawkins to share a moment while recovering from their Michael-inflicted wounds in the hospital.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 15, 2021
It’s a completely bizarre retcon of the original mythology that makes no sense except to create an opportunity for Laurie and Hawkins to share a moment while recovering from their Myers-inflicted wounds in the hospital.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2021
Welcome, Scarlet Witch That said, there are some things to explore a little further, starting with a beautiful retcon of a retcon... kind of.
From The Verge ● Feb. 26, 2021
For example, revealing that a whole season of "Dallas" was a dream was a retcon.
From The Jargon File, Version 4.0.0, 24 Jul 1996 by Eric S. Raymond
If a character dies, they can be resurrected, or the story of a subsequent film can be retconned for viewers to meet their favorite hero in another universe.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2025
Lin’s fingerprints are still all over “Fast X”: A retconned revisitation of Lin’s “Fast Five” vault sequence serves as an opening showcase in “Fast X,” blending new and original footage.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2023
As Wolk notes, Marvel hasn’t retconned any of the decisions it’s made about characters, and continues to introduce new story lines.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2021
Wanda and Pietro’s powers were retconned within the Marvel Cinematic Universe as something that was enhanced by Hydra.
From The Verge ● Feb. 26, 2021
"Byrne has retconned Superman's cape so that it is no longer unbreakable."
From The Jargon File, Version 4.0.0, 24 Jul 1996 by Eric S. Raymond
The powers that be are retconning her story in real time as if it's a tale of empowerment.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2024
There’s a note of wistful, wishful thinking in all this retconning of reality — would that we could write a time jump into our own scripts!
From New York Times ● Jan. 7, 2022
“Watchmen” is a lot tighter than “Lost” was, though; the circular systems have been obviously worked through in advance, where “Lost” was a festival of retconning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 12, 2019
Hopefully, there’s less retconning with these characters once the series is over.
From The Verge ● Apr. 10, 2019
And this is perhaps the most irksome thing about the Times’ serene response to the furor, at least for other journalists: the retconning of what was most likely a sloppy oversight into an unvarnished exposé.
From Slate ● Dec. 19, 2018
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
