retrace

verb

re·​trace (ˌ)rē-ˈtrās 

retraced; retracing

transitive verb

: to trace (something) again or back: such as

a

: to go over or along (something, such as a course or path) again often in a reverse direction

The hikers retraced the path back to the cabin.

… an expedition that retraced Theodore Roosevelt's route along a Brazilian river …

—Warren E. Leary

He found his phone by retracing his steps/footsteps.

b

: to go over (something) again in memory : recall

Then she'd retrace memories of her mother, reminiscence, and find enough good things to bring joy back into her life …

—Katherine Jones

c

: to discover the origin or early history of (something) by going back over previous steps

retrace (the origin of) a word to German

d

: to follow, study, or present (something) in detail or step by step

But there's also a new exhibition in the city that retraces the roots of the Italian fashion industry.

—Patrick Boehler

Let us retrace his argument.

—José Eduardo González

e

: to write or draw (something, such as a letter or line) again

children tracing and retracing the alphabet

especially : to write or draw directly over and following along (an existing line, letter, etc.)

The penciled shapes were retraced with black marker.

The challenge: Connect nine dots, arrayed in three rows of three, using four straight lines without retracing a line or lifting the pen.

—Adam Piore

retraceability

(ˌ)rē-ˌtrā-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

retraceable

(ˌ)rē-ˈtrā-sə-bəl 

adjective

a series of easily retraceable steps

Examples of retrace in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Years ago, New Jersey officials commissioned Sparks to portray Tubman during a two-week, 180-mile trek across the state that retraced parts of the Underground Railroad. —Donna M. Owens, NBC News, 28 Feb. 2024

In other words, Buehler is having to retrace some of his old rehab steps — like completing an offseason throwing program, refining his mechanics in bullpen sessions and seeing how well his arm bounces back between outings this go around. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024

The grandfather decided to go back to their hunting campsite, retracing their steps. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2024

Its 100-year anniversary in 2021 passed quietly, without celebration — unlike the 50th anniversary of Dean’s death in 2005, when fans dressed like the actor descended on the store and retraced his final drive. —Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024

For 15 years, Milgrom researched her family’s roots and retraced a maternal lineage of Judaism dating back to 1391. —Amanda Rosa, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024

In a landmark 1994 study, investigators took brain recordings that showed the during slow-wave sleep by retracing them. —Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024

To return, retrace your steps back along the paved path, seeing the sights from a new perspective. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024

Halfway through the work, all seven vocalists reached the center, and then slowly began retracing their paths. —Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retrace

• retrace one's steps

Kids Definition

retrace

verb

re·​trace (ˌ)rē-ˈtrās 

retraced; retracing

1

: to write or draw again or directly over

retraced the letters

2

: to go over (as a route) again or in a reverse direction

3

: to follow, study, or present in detail or in steps

4

: recall