retread

[ verb ree-tred; noun ree-tred ]

verb (used with object)

, re·tread·ed, re·tread·ing.

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of retread¹

First recorded in 1885–90; re- + tread

Example Sentences

Across more than two decades, the franchise has been using a collection of retreads, burnouts, stopgaps and castoffs to fill the sport’s most important role.

From FiveThirtyEight

Depending on who you ask, that sounds like a derivative retread or box office gold.

From Time

Such retread stories from the past, they say, do not worry them.

From The Daily Beast

And this never-never tepid retread of a Bush-era policy is, incredibly, the only actual policy on offer.

From The Daily Beast

Instead he mocked them and rehashed old ideas with retread rhetoric.

From The Daily Beast

The line was a retread from his speech in 2008, where he used an almost identical opener.

From The Daily Beast

Nor is his often-riveting new memoir an exercise in nostalgia, apologia, or retread rhetoric.

From The Daily Beast

He turned, as these thoughts passed through his mind, and began hastily to retread his footsteps towards the castle.

From Project Gutenberg

I was not insensible that my path became more intricate and more difficult to retread in proportion as I advanced.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, would you walk into the Center for a Retread now without being sure he's wrong?

From Project Gutenberg

On examination we found that there was no outlet practicable for us in this channel, and that we must retread our steps.

From Project Gutenberg

McKenzie was getting old, he wanted a Retread, and wanted it badly.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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