retrospective

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˌɹɛt.ɹə(ʊ)ˈspɛk.tɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #36346

Meanings

1

adj
Looking back on or relating to the past.

The article gives a retrospective look at the decade's biggest news stories.
2

adj
Taking effect from a date in the past; retroactive.

The new tax rules are retrospective and apply to last year's earnings.
3

noun
An exhibition showing work from across an artist's whole career.

The gallery is holding a retrospective of the photographer's forty-year career.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 adj · taking effect from a date... retroactive

More hindsightlyhistorical reflective

Opposites

forward-lookingprospective

Word family

Forms retrospectivelyretrospectives

Derived forms miniretrospectiveretrospectivelyretrospectivenessretrospectivity

Etymology

From retrospect + -ive. From Latin retrōspectus, perfect passive participle of retrōspiciō (“to look back at”).

retrōspectus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# retrospective

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌɹɛt.ɹə(ʊ)ˈspɛk.tɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 36346

## Meanings
1. Looking back on or relating to the past.
2. Taking effect from a date in the past; retroactive.
3. An exhibition showing work from across an artist's whole career.

## Examples
- The article gives a retrospective look at the decade's biggest news stories.
- The new tax rules are retrospective and apply to last year's earnings.
- The gallery is holding a retrospective of the photographer's forty-year career.

## Synonyms
- hindsightly
- historical
- reflective

## Antonyms
- forward-looking
- prospective

## Derived Forms
- miniretrospective
- retrospectively
- retrospectiveness
- retrospectivity

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: retrōspectus

## Etymology
From retrospect + -ive. From Latin retrōspectus, perfect passive participle of retrōspiciō (“to look back at”).

## AI Etymology
Retrospective is formed from retrospect + -ive. From Latin retrōspectus, perfect passive participle of retrōspiciō (“to look back at”). The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include retrōspectus (Latin). Current senses include looking back on or relating to the past and taking effect from a date in the past; retroactive. The wider family includes derived forms such as miniretrospective, retrospectively, retrospectiveness, and retrospectivity.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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