# retrospective

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˌɹɛt.ɹə(ʊ)ˈspɛk.tɪv/ · frequency rank #15,491

## Definitions
1. Of, relating to, or contemplating the past.
2. Looking backwards.
3. Affecting or influencing past things; retroactive.

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

## Easily confused with
- **retrospectively** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retrospective-vs-retrospectively)

## Common misspellings (20)
`ertrospective`, `rertospective`, `retorspective`, `retropsective`, `retrosepctive`, `retrospcetive`, `retrospecctive`, `retrospecitve`, `retrospectiev`, `retrospectivve`, `retrospecttive`, `retrospectvie`, `retrospetcive`, `retrosppective`, `retrosspective`, `retrrospective`, `retrsopective`, `rettrospective`, `rretrospective`, `rterospective`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/retrospective