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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

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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-

For example, instead of a living room, they fashioned a swanky cocktail lounge complete with a custom bar, a Yamaha piano, and retro swivel chairs.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

It’s a reminder that sometimes what might look pleasingly retro is actually just old and creepy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026

A comedian shares his serious side: Murray Hill is an old-school entertainer in the mold of retro lounge singers and Borscht Belt comedians.

From Slate ● Oct. 20, 2026

"An older audience might remember the originals and feel warmly towards them, and a younger audience might find an appeal in the retro aspect."

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 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

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