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• retro
  retro

  adjective

  retroactive.
• retro-
  retro-

  a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin meaning “backward” (retrogress ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (retrorocket ).

retro

¹ American  

[re-troh] / ˈrɛ troʊ /

adjective

Informal.

1. retroactive.

   retro pay.

2. of or designating the style of an earlier time.

   retro clothes.

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retro- ² American  

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin meaning “backward” (retrogress ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (retrorocket ).

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retro- ¹ British  

prefix

1. back or backwards

   retroactive

2. located behind

   retrolental

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retro ² British  

/ ˈrɛtrəʊ /

noun

1. short for retrorocket

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adjective

1. denoting something associated with or revived from the past

   retro dressing

   retro fashion

Etymology

Origin of retro¹

By shortening

Origin of retro-²

< Latin, representing retrō (adv.), backward, back, behind

Explanation

Retro things imitate a style from the past. A retro diner might serve 1950s-style milkshakes and be decorated like a diner from that era, but the prices will be much more modern. If you like retro clothes, you probably shop online and at thrift shops, where you can find pants from the 70s and prom dresses from the 50s. Retro music is heavily influenced by past genres, like rockabilly or doo-wop. You can also use retro as a noun: "I'm really into retro when it comes to cars." The word was first used in the 1970s in French, rétro, short for rétrograde, from the Latin retrogradi, "move backward."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retro retro-

They brought in minimalist and retro aesthetics, and matte finishes, to craft packaging that read as upscale, making for clean, consistent visuals across aisles.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

A retro road-trip challenge: Road trips were more fun in the ’90s, argues Dan Kois.

From Slate ● Sep. 9, 2026

But for now, tourists to the Central Coast can still indulge in the surf-infused city’s retro, family-friendly vibe.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

Onitsuka Tiger, a shoe brand owned by Asics, is experiencing a boom in demand for its retro sneakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The one other thing that remained the same was the retro movie poster of Casablanca over his bed.

From "Keep It Together, Keiko Carter" by Debbi Michiko Florence

We did this by firing our retro- rockets, four solid-propellant rockets mounted in our tail.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins