retouch

/ɹɪˈtʌtʃ/

//ɹɪˈtʌtʃ// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"retouch" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“retouch” is uncommon English (frequency #76,273 among 21,470 “R” headwords), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#76,273
frequency rank, English
21,470
“R” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To improve something (especially a photograph), by adding or correcting details, or by removing flaws.

Key facts for retouch
PropertyValue
Headwordretouch
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ɹɪˈtʌtʃ/
Letters7
Frequency rank#76,273
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “retouch” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). retouch lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

retouch is uncommon English at frequency #76,273 among 21,470 “R” headwords, classed as averb, transcribed /ɹɪˈtʌtʃ/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 3 senses are on record.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for retouch, since its letter sequence doesn't invite the usual edit-distance slips. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From French retoucher. The correct English form is retouch, spelled R-E-T-O-U-C-H.

Definition

  1. 1
    To improve something (especially a photograph), by adding or correcting details, or by removing flaws.
  2. 2
    To colour the roots of hair to match hair previously coloured.
  3. 3
    To modify a flint tool by making secondary flaking along the cutting edge.

Etymology

From French retoucher.

This word in other languages

retuschieren(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "retouch"?
"retouch" is spelled R-E-T-O-U-C-H. The IPA pronunciation is /ɹɪˈtʌtʃ/.
What does "retouch" mean?
As a verb, "retouch" means: To improve something (especially a photograph), by adding or correcting details, or by removing flaws.
How do you pronounce "retouch"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "retouch" is /ɹɪˈtʌtʃ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "retouch"?
From French retoucher. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “retouch”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is R-E-T-O-U-C-H - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɹɪˈtʌtʃ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list