retrospective

[ re-truh-spek-tiv ]

adjective

1. directed to the past; contemplative of past situations, events, etc.
2. looking or directed backward.
3. retroactive, as a statute.

noun

1. an art exhibit showing an entire phase or representative examples of an artist's lifework.
2. any exhibition or series of showings or performances, as of musical works or motion pictures, representing the work of an artist or performer over all or a major part of a career:

   a retrospective of John Ford's movies.

retrospective

/ ˌrɛtrəʊˈspɛktɪv /

adjective

1. looking or directed backwards, esp in time; characterized by retrospection
2. applying to the past; retroactive

noun

1. an exhibition of an artist's life's work or a representative selection of it

Derived Forms

• ˌretroˈspectiveness, noun
• ˌretroˈspectively, adverb

Other Words From

• retro·spective·ly adverb
• retro·spective·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrospective¹

First recorded in 1655–65; retrospect + -ive

Example Sentences

In 1980, a retrospective of the artist at the Museum of Modern Art in New York captivated Hockney.

From The Daily Beast

To celebrate a retrospective box set, entitled Nothing Has Changed, Bowie has released a video for one of two new songs included.

From The Daily Beast

“When Tibor died we did a retrospective of MCo., and the lamp was the last thing you saw,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

Frank Gehry is enjoying a major moment: his retrospective is in full swing in Paris and his latest creation opens today.

From The Daily Beast

Hopper (1882-1967), had his first major retrospective at the Whitney in 1964.

From The Daily Beast

But statutes which merely alter the procedure, if they are in themselves good statutes, ought to be retrospective.

From Project Gutenberg

It is always to be remembered that retrospective legislation is bad in principle only when it affects the substantive law.

From Project Gutenberg

Statutes creating new crimes or increasing the punishment of old crimes ought in no case to be retrospective.

From Project Gutenberg

But the bill against Duncombe really was, what the bill against Fenwick was not, objectionable as a retrospective bill.

From Project Gutenberg

There was not a side nor retrospective glance to disturb the serenity of her large blue eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• reflective