verb C1 Advanced

retrace

ree-TRAYS

Retrace (verb) means to go back over a path, route, or sequence of events, often to find something or understand what happened. Example: “Police retraced the missing hiker's route from his last known location.”

verb

To go back over a path, route, or sequence of events, often to find something or understand what happened.

"Police retraced the missing hiker's route from his last known location."

"She retraced her steps to look for her lost earring."

How to use retrace

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGoing back over the same path or story you already covered.

Common pairings

retrace your steps retrace a route

Word forms

retraced past tense, retraces plural, retraces singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Police _____ the missing hiker's route from his last known location.

Etymology

From French retracer, from Middle French retracier.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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trace construct reconstruct

Related words

make line build join destroy hunt shadow ghost

Rhymes for retrace

ace face race pace mace lace Jace peace space trace grace place

See all rhymes for retrace →

Frequently asked questions

What does “retrace” mean?

The word “retrace” means to go back over a path, route, or sequence of events, often to find something or understand what happened. In plain terms, going back over the same path or story you already covered.

How do you pronounce “retrace”?

“Retrace” is pronounced ree-TRAYS (/ɹiːˈtɹeɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “retrace” in a sentence?

Here is “retrace” used in a sentence: “Police retraced the missing hiker's route from his last known location.”

What part of speech is “retrace”?

“Retrace” is a verb.

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