How to pronounce retro
Say it like RET-roh. Retro has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce retro. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- RET
- roh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Retro pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- RETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- rohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of retro
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: RET-roh.
What does retro mean?
- a fashion reminiscent of the past
- affecting things past“retroactive tax increase”“an ex-post-facto law”
Where does retro come from?
Borrowed from French rétro, ultimately from Latin retro.
Words that rhyme with retro
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of retro.
Questions about saying retro
How do you pronounce retro?
Say RET-roh. The American pronunciation is /ˈrɛtroʊ/. In British English it is /ˈrɛtrəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in retro?
Retro has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (RET). Broken into parts: RET · roh.
Is retro pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈrɛtrəʊ/ (RET-roh).