retrace

American  

[ri-treys] / rɪˈtreɪs /

verb (used with object)

retraced, retracing

1. to trace backward; go back over.

   to retrace one's steps.

2. to go back over with the memory.

3. to go over again with the sight or attention.

4. re-trace.

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retrace British  

/ rɪˈtreɪs /

verb

1. to go back over (one's steps, a route, etc) again

   we retraced the route we took last summer

2. to go over (a past event) in the mind; recall

3. to go over (a story, account, etc) from the beginning

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Other Word Forms

• nonretraceable adjective
• retraceable adjective
• retracement noun

Etymology

Origin of retrace

1690–1700; < French retracer, Middle French retracier, equivalent to re- re- + tracier to trace ¹

Explanation

To retrace is to walk the same path again, or to follow a path someone else has taken. You could visit the town your ancestors came from and attempt to retrace their steps there. When you lose your glasses, some helpful person may ask you, "Did you retrace your steps?" What they're suggesting is that you walk everywhere you went earlier, checking as you go to see if you left them on a table or desk nearby. A detective will also retrace someone's steps to solve a crime, looking for clues while walking where the suspect walked. Trace means "outline," but also "follow a line or a path."

Example Sentences

Oil prices have yet to retrace their gains from March, and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below levels from February, according to data from Kpler.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

“Historically, when you retrace this much of the decline, it’s a good sign,” he adds.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

A veteran homicide detective named Jim Ford tried to retrace Cynthia’s last steps.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

That allowed them to retrace Ashaal’s SUV to the street where the Voxy blocked his escape.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

‘Let’s be Salim, Ted. Let’s both imagine we’re on Euston Station. Let’s retrace his steps. In our heads. Remember. He doesn’t know London well. He has a travel card. Right?’

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd