Retrograde

How to spell retrograde

10 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce retrograde

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does retrograde mean?

1. adjectiveReverting to an earlier and usually worse state, or directed backwards.
2. adjectiveDescribing apparent or actual motion of a planet that runs opposite to the usual direction.

Retrograde in a sentence

• Critics called the new tax a retrograde step that punished low earners.

• During its retrograde phase, the planet seems to drift backwards across the night sky.

• Scrapping the recycling scheme felt like a retrograde decision for the council.

• The astronomer explained why the retrograde loop is only an optical illusion.

Where does retrograde come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word comes from the Latin retrogradus, meaning 'going backward', which was built from retro, meaning 'back' or 'behind', and the verb gradi, meaning 'to step' or 'to walk'. That same gradi root supplies a whole family of English words about movement and stages, including 'progress' (stepping forward), 'gradual' (by steps), and 'grade' itself. English adopted retrograde in the late 1300s, at first in astronomy to describe a planet that appeared to move backward against the fixed stars. From there the meaning widened to cover anything that reverts to an earlier and usually worse condition, as in a retrograde policy. The spelling keeps the Latin retro- prefix intact, so picturing 'retro' (backward) plus 'grade' (a step) is a reliable guide to getting it right.

How the word is built

• retro- (backward)
• grad (to step, to go)
• -e (silent ending)