retread

American  

[ree-tred, ree-tred] / riˈtrɛd, ˈriˌtrɛd /

verb (used with object)

retreaded, retreading

1. to put a new tread on (a worn pneumatic tire casing) either by recapping or by cutting fresh treads in the smooth surface.

2. to repeat or do over, especially without the boldness or inventiveness of the original.

---

noun

1. a tire that has been retreaded.

2. Slang. a person returned to active work after retirement, dismissal, etc.

3. a person retrained for a new or more modern job or task.

4. Informal. a repeating, reviving, or reworking of an old or familiar idea, presentation, story, etc., especially when unimaginative or hackneyed; rehash.

   a boring retread of a classic movie.

5. Slang. a person representing older or previous times, ideas, policies, etc., especially when they are deemed passé or tiresome.

retread British  

verb

1. (tr) another word for remould

---

noun

1. another word for remould

2. informal a pensioner who has resumed employment, esp in a former profession

3. a film, piece of music, etc, which is a superficially altered version of an earlier original

Etymology

Origin of retread

First recorded in 1885–90; re- + tread

Example Sentences

More than once, naysayers dismissed it as an “ER” retread – which, given that it stars Noah Wyle, who also executive produces alongside “ER” showrunner John Wells, is understandable.

From Salon

But what if what seemed a tired retread was actually poised on the cutting edge of televised entertainment?

From The Wall Street Journal

The film is a narrative retread of its predecessor, packed to the brim with callbacks and cameos that seem intended to spark a brief conversation online before burning out entirely, not unlike most Netflix originals.

From Salon

When played side-by-side with the originals, the new self-produced songs never sound like tired retreads but are powered by some contemporary fire in the band’s performances.

From Los Angeles Times

A rebooted reboot also has to be hyper-avoidant of retreading the same territory as a franchise’s first reset, for fear of alienating skeptics even more, which is a move that can very easily backfire.

From Salon

Related Words

• compensate for
• correct
• heal
• improve
• mend
• overhaul
• patch
• rebuild
• recover
• rectify
• refurbish
• remedy
• renovate
• retrieve
• revamp
• revive