retro

1 of 2

adjective

ret·​ro ˈre-(ˌ)trō How to pronounce retro (audio)
: 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

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adjective
Design lovers will appreciate the warm, retro elements that bring early-20th-century into the modern day. Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Oct. 2024 Wright is seeing a lot of trending styles for resort wear, including Scandinavian styles (just look at the ever-growing popularity of Copenhagen Fashion Week), though, her biggest inspiration for the brand is often retro 1990s and early 2000s designs. Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Ice cream and pie shakes add retro flair and round out the fun. sugarfirepie.com; 9200 Olive Blvd #108, Olivette, MO 63132; 314-736-6300 Sugaree’s Bakery New Albany, Mississippi Located in the historic town of New Albany, this bakery has specialized in sweets since 1997. Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2024 Steffens says that this is one retro style that may not be worth repeating. Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retro 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of retro was in 1972

Dictionary Entries Near retro

Cite this Entry

“Retro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retro. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

retro

1 of 2 adjective
ret·​ro ˈret-rō How to pronounce retro (audio)
: 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")

More from Merriam-Webster on retro

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