adjective
Uncommon
retro
REHT-roh
Retro (adjective) means Deliberately styled after, or reminiscent of, an earlier era. Example: “She wore a retro dress straight out of the 1960s.”
adjective
1
Deliberately styled after, or reminiscent of, an earlier era.
"She wore a retro dress straight out of the 1960s."
"The diner has a fun retro theme with jukeboxes and neon signs."
"The cafe has a charming retro look, with checked floors and vintage posters."
How to use retro
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStyled to look like it's from the past, usually in a fashionable, nostalgic way.
Common pairings
retro style
retro fashion
retro gaming
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like retro.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more retro
- Superlative
- most retro
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She wore a _____ dress straight out of the 1960s.
Etymology
Borrowed from French rétro, from Latin retro, "backward."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for retro
See all rhymes for retro →Frequently asked questions
What does “retro” mean?
The word “retro” means deliberately styled after, or reminiscent of, an earlier era. In plain terms, styled to look like it's from the past, usually in a fashionable, nostalgic way.
How do you pronounce “retro”?
“Retro” is pronounced REHT-roh (/ˈɹɛt.ɹoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “retro” in a sentence?
Here is “retro” used in a sentence: “She wore a retro dress straight out of the 1960s.”
What part of speech is “retro”?
“Retro” is an adjective.
Where does the word “retro” come from?
The word “retro” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French rétro, from Latin retro, "backward.".
Is “retro” a common word?
“Retro” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between retro and vintage?
Retro describes something deliberately styled after or reminiscent of an earlier era, even if newly made, while vintage typically refers to an original object actually made in that earlier period. A newly manufactured jacket designed to look like the 1970s is retro, while an actual jacket from the 1970s is vintage.
What is the difference between retro and classic?
Retro specifically evokes the style of a past era, often with a nostalgic or trendy feel, while classic describes something that has remained popular or respected over time regardless of its era-specific style. A classic design can be timeless rather than tied to a particular decade's look.
Is retro used only for fashion?
No, retro is used broadly for anything deliberately styled after an earlier era, including fashion, furniture, technology, music, and graphic design, not just clothing.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include retro:
