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

The collection, heavily influenced by Western wear and retro hip-hop styles, put Kapital’s intricate denim craftsmanship on full display and was soundtracked by funky city pop. —Denni Hu, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

Check, please The Pinball Resource's website has a delightfully retro 1990s feel about it. —Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 6 Jan. 2025

This lilting ballad transports us back to Mexico’s golden era of stately heartbreak songs, amplified by Becky’s astute production choices, which combine a retro melodic sensibility with the benefits of digital wizardry. —Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024

The actress also wore a retro bouffant with pigtails, channeling ’60s style icon Brigitte Bardot. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 16 Dec. 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")