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retrofit

verb · noun

Simple meaning

To supply with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

rehtrohfit

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US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈɹɛtɹoʊfɪt

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

verb

  1. transitive

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

  2. transitivefiguratively

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

noun

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

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

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
C1 · Advanced (estimated)
Frequency
Uncommon

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

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

Used this way, retrofit is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
No strong connotation
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use retrofit

  • “The court ordered a retrofit on all automobiles.”noun

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

retrofit programretrofit technologyretrofit projectslighting retrofitenergy retrofitbuilding retrofitafter retrofit

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.