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

From vintage polo shirts to retro radio reports, Filho faithfully recreates the era to prove that the bad times did happen.

From Los Angeles Times

They grew up on retro images of cool such as a waifish Joan Didion holding a cigarette or the young Patti Smith in a black T-shirt and black jeans smoking next to Robert Mapplethorpe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan's Marubeni, which is backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, said it had bought British heritage sportswear brand Gola as the trading house moves to tap growing global demand for retro trainers.

From Barron's

As more TV ad spending moves from traditional networks to streaming, Campbell said Disney is capitalizing on the retro trend thanks to its massive library of series.

From Los Angeles Times

When I honk back, she has a great retro sound.

From The Wall Street Journal