Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

retrospect

/ˈɹɛtɹəˌspɛkt/ noun

Latin root: retrōspectum Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about retrospect at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Contemplation of things past.
in retrospect

verb

Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events); remember.
she reviewed her achievements with pride

Origin

Borrowed from Latin retrōspectum, from retrōspicio (“to look back at”), equivalent to retro- + -spect. Compare review.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word