retrospective
retrospective Lexical Profile
retrospective Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Looking back on, contemplating, or dealing with past events, situations, or experiences.
"The historian published a comprehensive retrospective analysis of the post-war economic recovery."
British (Of a statute, ruling, or payment) taking effect from a date in the past.
"The union negotiated a retrospective pay increase dating back to the start of the fiscal year."
• noun
An exhibition, compilation, or screening showing the development of the work of a particular artist, filmmaker, or musician over a period of years.
"The national gallery is hosting a major retrospective of the sculptor's career this autumn."
A structured meeting or review held at the end of a project or work cycle to evaluate what went well and identify areas for improvement.
"After launching the software update, the engineering team held a retrospective to discuss their workflow."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Retrospective' typically involves looking back at or contemplating past events or work, whereas 'retroactive' specifically describes a law, decision, or pay rate that takes effect from a past date (though in British English, 'retrospective' is also commonly used in this legal sense).
• Rhymes for retrospective
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century from Medieval Latin retrospectivus, from the past participle stem of Latin retrospicere ('to look back'), formed from retro- ('backward') and specere ('to look').