retro

1 of 2

adjective

ret·​ro ˈre-(ˌ)trō 

: relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past : fashionably nostalgic or old-fashioned

a retro look

retro noun

retro-

2 of 2

prefix

1

: backward : back

retro-rocket

2

: situated behind

retroperitoneal

Synonyms

Adjective

• antique
• old-fashioned
• old-school
• old-time
• old-timey
• old-world
• oldfangled
• quaint
• retrograde
• vintage

Examples of retro in a Sentence

Adjective

the retro look in fashion

retro fashions that seek to capture the lost glamour of Hollywood in the 1930s

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For Extensive 2025 Tour La Femme’s DIY spirit, glitzy visual aesthetic, and retro style has won them multiple gold records and Album Révélation of the Year at the French Victoires de la Musique awards. —Charles Moss, SPIN, 23 Sep. 2024

After all, this is a world where America’s new It Girl has a retro aerobics show! —Abby Monteil, Them, 20 Sep. 2024

For just $10, retro gamers get a fantastic blast from the past, completionists get a real challenge, and record setters have a playground to constantly improve on their time by learning new and exciting shortcuts, and getting those boosts just right. —Matt Gardner, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

In a season where the coat truly defines the outfit, a shearling adds the perfect touch of retro flair, elevating even the most casual denim. —Talia Abbas, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French rétro, short for rétrospectif retrospective

Prefix

Latin, from retro, from re- + -tro (as in intro within) — more at intro-

First Known Use

Adjective

1972, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retro

• retro-rocket

Kids Definition

retro

1 of 2 adjective

ret·​ro ˈret-rō 

: relating to, reviving, or being the styles and especially the fashions of the past

retro-

2 of 2 prefix

: backward : back

retro-rocket

Etymology

Prefix

derived from Latin re- "back, again" and Latin -tro (the final part of intro "within")