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

Example Sentences

While Mr. Mars has always been known for his fondness for retro textures, the new album takes this tendency to the extreme.

From The Wall Street Journal

Then there’s the decidedly retro approach: I love printing books with my favorite shots from the year.

From The Wall Street Journal

There was a real retro feel to her designs, which focus on sustainability through the use of deadstock fabric and environmentally-friendly dyes.

From BBC

Experts blame "fairly extraordinary weather", with strong south-easterly winds, for the increase in "retro rubbish".

From BBC

I opted for the classics: onion soup, retro vol-au-vent overflowing with mushrooms and, for dessert, an île flottante heady with vanilla and caramel.

From The Wall Street Journal