retcon
/ˈɹɛtˌkɒn/noun, verb
retcon is spelled R-E-T-C-O-N: 6 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 12 million words in written English, the 103,949th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, retcon means “A fictional setting in which a new storyline explains or changes a previous event or attaches a new significance to it” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of retcon is retcons.
How many letters and syllables are in retcon?
| Letters | 6: R-E-T-C-O-N |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 12 million words; the 103,949th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Same letters |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is retcon?
Retcon appears about once in every 12 million words in written English, the 103,949th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce retcon?
- UK /ˈɹɛtˌkɒn/
Retcon has 2 syllables (counted from the pronunciation).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-retcon.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with retcon?
No other word on PlainSpell ends in the same sounds as retcon (/ɛtkɒn/).
Spelled with the same letters in another order: cornet.
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of retcon
- retcons plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- retconning participle, present
- retconned participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does retcon mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A fictional setting in which a new storyline explains or changes a previous event or attaches a new significance to it.
verb
- 1
To employ such a device.
Retroactive continuity (aka retconning), would reveal that Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are also Magneto's children, showing that this was a guy who was really committed to his cause
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does retcon come from?
A blend of retroactive + continuity. The term retroactive continuity was popularized by comics writer Roy Thomas, who was known for writing superhero comic books set decades in the past, such as All-Star Squadron, and attributes it to an anonymous source.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).