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

Think Woodstock lodge meets the French Alps meets Williamsburg, Brooklyn in the winter where classic rock 'n' roll tunes from the likes of Springsteen and The Stones add to its cozy retro vibe. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

Take the retro cheese ball to a new level by combining it with another classic—pimiento cheese. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

This style features a slim profile and subtle retro influence that feels current without being overly trendy, while the contrasting black accents and small gold detail add dimension. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026

Perhaps most retro of all, the Gunmen's day job is running a periodical magazine, printed on actual paper. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 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")