retrofit
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
retrofit
- /ˌɹɛtɹəʊˈfɪt/ UK
- /ˈɹɛtɹə(ʊ)ˌfɪt/ UK
- /ˌɹɛtɹoʊˈfɪt/ US
- /ˈɹɛtɹoʊˌfɪt/ US
Where it comes 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”).
verb retrofits · retrofitting · retrofitted
-
To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
Trams dating from 2012 have been retro-fitted with lithium batteries, with the conversions starting in 2018.
Similar: backfit
-
To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
Similar: backfit
-
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.”).
The bug was so bad that we had to retrofit our patch to the last three releases, as well as the newest release.
Similar: backport
- To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.
- To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.
noun retrofits
- An act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; a retrofitting.
- A change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed.
Translations
Every language
verb (transitive) to supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed — see also modernize
| Español | modernizar |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 後付けする, あとづけする atozuke suru |
| Deutsch | nachrüsten, umrüsten |
| Italiano | riequipaggiare |
| Русский | модернизи́ровать modɛrnizírovatʹ, осовреме́нивать osovreménivatʹ, осовреме́нить osovreménitʹ |
noun act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed — see also retrofitting
| Español | corrección retroactiva |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 개비 gaebi |
| 日本語 | 後付け, あとづけ atozuke |
| Deutsch | Nachrüsten, Umrüsten |
| Italiano | retrofit |
Talk about this word "retrofit." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/retrofit. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. retrofit. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/retrofit "retrofit." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/retrofit.Cite this
@misc{retrofit_2026,
title = {retrofit},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/retrofit},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
