retcon

[ ret-kon ]

noun

1. a subsequent revision of an established story in film, TV, video games, or comics:

   In an awkward retcon of his origin story, the hero’s parents survived the attack but suffered complete memory loss.

verb (used with object)

, ret·con·ned, ret·con·ning

1. to later revise (an established element of a fictional story):

   The writers retconned the origin of her powers, newly attributing them to alien ancestry.

Word History and Origins

Origin of retcon¹

First recorded in 1980–85; a shortening of retroactive continuity

Example Sentences

It’s a long retcon that doesn’t quite feel in step with the original’s ending.

From Time

More About Retcon

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.

Where does retcon come from?

The first records of retcon come from around the 1980s. It is a shortening of the phrase retroactive continuity, with retroactive meaning “relating to past occurrences” and continuity meaning “the entire scenario or story in order.” Retcon effectively means “changing the details of the past later in the story.”

Typical retcons include explaining plot points as a dream or false memory and bringing back a character who was presumed dead. Stories are often retconned to please newer fans or to refresh a long-running story. This is often seen as a negative to long-time fans of the story.  

The term has gained such popularity in pop culture discussions that it is now used more formally in some discussions of history and planning. In these types of situations, retcon is sometimes used to describe when people go back on their promises and pretend they did not make them or when people so frequently misrepresent past events that the event’s history becomes confused or changed in the public’s opinion.

Did you know … ?

What are some synonyms for retcon?

• retroactive continuity

What are some words that share a root or word element with retcon? 

• retroactive
• continuity
• retro

What are some words that often get used in discussing retcon?

• character
• movie
• story
• video game

How is retcon used in real life?

Retcon is almost always used in reference to entertainment media that has been revised, often dissatisfying audiences.

I know a lot of you are confused by the “Mary” of it all in today’s VENOM #9. But I promise it’s all going to make sense.

These are not canon errors or a retcon. We’re aware of how weird and “out of place” it all is.

That’s the point.

You’ll see.

— DONNY CATES (@Doncates) December 5, 2018

Him: You weren't there?
Me: Nope.
Him: Hmm… I think I just retcon you into all my memories.
Me: That's very romantic.

— [e-mail] (@Veronica) July 1, 2016

As a note for people arguing about when “the new decade” begins, today:

We didn’t start counting from year 1 in the Gregorian calendar. We started counting from 1582.

[We projected back to a year 1, but that’s just a big ol’ retcon.]

— Kurt Busiek (@KurtBusiek) January 1, 2020

Updated on February 27, 2023

Try using retcon!

True or False?

An example of a retcon is recasting an actor but keeping the story the same.