retread
/ɹiːˈtɹɛd/verb, noun
retread is spelled R-E-T-R-E-A-D: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears about once in every 8 million words in written English, the 83,271st most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a verb, retread means “To replace the traction-providing surface of a vehicle that employs tires, tracks or treads” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in retread?
| Letters | 7: R-E-T-R-E-A-D |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | about once in every 8 million words; the 83,271st 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 and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; 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 retread?
Retread appears about once in every 8 million words in written English, the 83,271st 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 retread?
- /ɹiːˈtɹɛd/
- /ˈɹiː.tɹɛd/
As a verb (“To tread again, to walk along again, to follow a path again”): /ɹiːˈtɹɛd/.
Retread has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-retread_(verb).wav, LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-retread_(noun).wav, En-au-retread.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Words people confuse with retread
Also written: re-tread (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).
What rhymes with retread?
No other word on PlainSpell ends in the same sounds as retread.
Spelled with the same letters in another order: treader.
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 retread
- retreads present, singular, he/she/it, plural
- retreading participle, present
- retreaded participle, past
- retrod past
- retrodden participle, past
- re-tread
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does retread mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
verb
- 1
To replace the traction-providing surface of a vehicle that employs tires, tracks or treads.
- 2
UKTo renew the tread of a tyre, providing a cheaper alternative to buying a new tyre, but potentially introducing a risk of premature failure if performed improperly.
- 3
To tread again, to walk along again, to follow a path again.
noun
- 1
A used tire whose surface, the tread, has been replaced to extend its life and use.
- 2
slangA person who re-entered military service in World War II after serving in World War I.
- 3
A return over ground previously covered; a retraversal or repetition.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does retread come from?
From re- + tread (“grooves carved into the face of a tire”, noun).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).