Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

retrofit

/ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈfɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.83 in modern English

Syllables: re-tro-fit
IPA: /ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈfɪt/

11

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.

Transitive verb

verb

To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.

Transitive verb

verb

Synonym of backport (“to retroactively supply a fix or feature to a previous version of a software product at the same time or after supplying it to the current version.”).

Transitive verb

verb

To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.

Transitive verb

verb

To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Intransitive verb

noun

An act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; a retrofitting.

noun

A change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Example Sentences

"Trams dating from 2012 have been retro-fitted with lithium batteries, with the conversions starting in 2018."
"The project involves retrofitting Google’s Pixel smartphones to certain subway cars to collect sounds and other data and feed it into Google’s Cloud. […] When asked why the devices were retrofitted on older models instead of newer ones, Sarno said the MTA typically uses older car models when making modifications in case there are any unwanted effects."
"The bug was so bad that we had to retrofit our patch to the last three releases, as well as the newest release."

Etymology

The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) + fit (“to equip, supply”). The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived: * from the verb (see above); or * from retro- + fit (“act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another”).

Word Breakdown

Prefix: retro

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈfɪt/
British English: /ˌɹɛtɹəʊˈfɪt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

retrofits (present, singular) retrofitting (participle, present) retrofitted (participle, past) retrofitted (past) retrofits (plural)

Derived Forms

retrofitment retrofittable retrofitted retrofitter retrofitting retrogreen

Phrases

seismic retrofit post-retrofit

Frequently Paired Words

refit upgrade

Synonyms

backfit backport

Questions

How do you pronounce retrofit?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈfɪt/.
What does retrofit mean?: To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
Where does retrofit come from?: The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) + fit (“to equip, supply”). The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived: * from the verb (see above); or * from retro- + fit (“act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another”).

How to pronounce retrofit

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “retrofit”.
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