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 of retro

Adjective

• vintage
• antique

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

These retro-futuristic frames not only do a great job of blocking the sun, but their wraparound look also gives a stylish mystique that’s sporty and edgy at once. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 24 June 2026

After a few turns on the Superstar, Sp5der and Adidas are now looking to combine the retro aesthetics of soccer and running on a brand-new silhouette. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 June 2026

Amazon caters to a range of design styles, from retro Space Age accents, courtesy of Georg Jensen, to checkerboard accessories from the likes of Mackenzie-Childs. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 June 2026

Unlike Instagram’s flashy Restyle effects with their obvious AI-first presentation, Moods pushes in the opposite direction, targeting a more authentic-looking retro vibe. — Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

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

Rhymes for retro

• nonmetro

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")