retro

1 of 2

adjective

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

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Adjective

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
From pasta salads to sheet cake desserts, here are a few retro recipes that will be great additions to this year's potluck. — Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 2 July 2026 The retro ensemble caught the attention of fans and press everywhere. — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 4 July 2026 Behind its retro appearance is the performance riders expect from a modern electric bike. — New Atlas, 2 July 2026 As with every Flipper device, the Busy Bar comes with a retro aesthetic and toy-like physical controls. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 29 June 2026 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

Phrases Containing retro

Rhymes for retro

See All Rhymes for retro

Browse Nearby Words

retrim
retro
retro-
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Retro.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retro. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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")

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