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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-

Sessa was born to prowl around wild-eyed in retro polyester.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Set in the 1960s, the colorful retro fashions hang off her skeletal frame.

From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026

These are taking market share from Nike’s retro basketball shoes, which dominated the lifestyle-sneaker market earlier in the 2020s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

It’s an underrated, retro way to discover songs you’ve never heard, songs by artists you love, and songs by artists you forgot you love.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

Most of the room was like lame retro.

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben

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