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

Katie Pedrick and her daughter spent hours retracing their steps along Boylston Street after realizing Sarah was gone. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

Police are pulling surveillance cameras in the area to try to retrace his steps. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

Officers were seen showing a photo of the child to locals in the area to try to find the father and pulled local surveillance footage in order to attempt to retrace his steps, according to the outlet. —Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026

Everyone’s retracing their steps. —Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retrace

• retrace one's steps

Rhymes for retrace

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

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