retro

¹

[re-troh]

adjective

Informal.

1. retroactive.

   retro pay.

2. of or designating the style of an earlier time.

   retro clothes.

retro-

²

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin meaning “backward” (retrogress ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (retrorocket ).

retro-

¹

prefix

1. back or backwards

   retroactive

2. located behind

   retrolental

retro

²

/ ˈrɛtrəʊ /

noun

1. short for retrorocket

adjective

1. denoting something associated with or revived from the past

   retro dressing

   retro fashion

Word History and Origins

Origin of retro-¹

By shortening

Origin of retro-²

< Latin, representing retrō (adv.), backward, back, behind

Word History and Origins

Origin of retro-¹

from Latin retrō behind, backwards

Example Sentences

The title of this retro novel telegraphs its setting while echoing an earlier work by Eve Babitz, a famous L.A. scenester who contributed to Movieline magazine when I worked there decades ago, though as a newcomer to the city I did not appreciate it then.

From Los Angeles Times

Here in SoCal, we also have Two Bit Circus in Santa Monica, which marries retro and modern games with beer and cocktails.

From Los Angeles Times

Its 3,600-square-foot space boasts 70 games, including a small — emphasis on small — retro section where one will find coin-op cabinets of “Tron,” “Centipede,” “Mortal Kombat” and a “Ms. Pac-Man” head-to-head arcade table.

From Los Angeles Times

But we were intrigued by its promise of retro gaming and its attempts to appeal to a less kid-focused audience.

From Los Angeles Times

The home they found in Craftsman Village is just a mile from the ocean and within four blocks of Long Beach’s 4th Street “Retro Row,” which features several indie bookstores and natural wine bars.

From Los Angeles Times