ENGLISH
REFERENCE

retrospective

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɹɛtɹəˈspɛktɪv// UK //ɹˌɛtɹəʊspˈɛktɪv// ret·ro·spec·tive

n. an exhibition or show that looks back at the work an artist has done over many years. It can also mean a meeting where a team looks back at a finished project to see what went well.

n. an exhibition or compilation showing the development of an artist's work over a period of time; alternatively, a meeting held by a project team to review a recent period of work. Often used in the context of fine arts or agile project management.


SIMPLE

The museum is hosting a retrospective of the painter's career.

CONTEXTUAL

After the software launch, the developers held a retrospective to discuss how they could improve their workflow for the next sprint.

COMPLEX

The gallery's mid-career retrospective offers a comprehensive look at how the photographer's style shifted from stark black-and-white realism to more abstract, digitally manipulated compositions over three decades.

Antonyms
Origin

From retrospect + -ive. From Latin retrōspectus, perfect passive participle of retrōspiciō (“I look back at”).

Usage

Often takes the preposition 'of' when referring to an artist's body of work.

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