# retrospect

/ˈɹɛtɹəˌspɛkt/ (US) · /ɹˌɛtɹəʊspˈɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/retrospect
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. looking back at the past

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

the act of thinking about a past event, often realizing something you did not know at the time.

For teachers: a review or meditation on past events. Almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'in retrospect'.

- In retrospect, I should have saved more money when I was younger.
- In retrospect, the warning signs were clearly visible, yet the administration chose to ignore the mounting evidence of a fiscal crisis.

Usage: Commonly functions as a sentence adverbial in the fixed phrase 'in retrospect'.

### 2. to look back on

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

to look back at or think about things that happened in the past.

For teachers: to refer back to or reflect upon past events. This verbal use is significantly less common than the noun form.

- It is helpful to retrospect on your successes at the end of the year.
- The author tends to retrospect upon his childhood with a mixture of nostalgia and profound regret.

Usage: Often takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon' when used intransitively.

## Examples

- In retrospect, I should have taken the job offer.
- In retrospect, the warning signs of the economic downturn were visible months before the market actually crashed.
- While the decision seemed sound at the time, a careful retrospect of the project's timeline reveals several missed opportunities for intervention that might have saved the budget.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.