retcon

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈrɛtˌkɑn/ UK /ˈrɛtˌkɒn/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to revise or reinterpret a fictional work's storyline, often to maintain continuity or update it

The series finale retconned several character backstories.
2

verb
to introduce new backstory into an established fictional work

Later issues retconned a hidden sibling into the hero's past.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to revise or reinterpret a... rewrite revisereimagineupdate

2 verb · to introduce new backstory... add backstoryexpand lorereframeretell

Etymology

A blend of retro- (Latin 'backward') and continuity, coined in Modern English to name the revision of previously established facts in a fictional work.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# retcon

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈrɛtˌkɑn/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈrɛtˌkɒn/

## Meanings
1. to revise or reinterpret a fictional work's storyline, often to maintain continuity or update it
2. to introduce new backstory into an established fictional work

## Examples
- The series finale retconned several character backstories.
- Later issues retconned a hidden sibling into the hero's past.

## Synonyms
- rewrite
- revise
- reimagine
- update
- add backstory
- expand lore
- reframe
- retell

## Etymology
A blend of retro- (Latin 'backward') and continuity, coined in Modern English to name the revision of previously established facts in a fictional work.

## AI Etymology
Retcon is a blend of retro- (Latin 'backward') and continuity, coined in Modern English to name the revision of previously established facts in a fictional work. In current use it is a verb and noun meaning "to revise or reinterpret a fictional work's storyline, often to maintain continuity or update it". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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