US /ˈrɛtˌkɑn/ UK /ˈrɛtˌkɒn/
verb noun

Meanings

  1. 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. 2
    verb

    to introduce new backstory into an established fictional work

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

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 verb · to revise or reinterpret a... rewriterevisereimagineupdate
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

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