Definition of RETRONYM

retronym

Meanings

Plural: retronyms

Noun

  • a word introduced because an existing term has become inadequate
    • "Nobody ever heard of analog clocks until digital clocks became common, so `analog clock' is a retronym"
  • A new word or phrase coined for an old object or concept whose original name has become used for something else or is no longer unique, or which did not originally have a specific name.

Origin / Etymology

From retro- + -onym; coined by Frank Mankiewicz and popularized by William Safire.

Scrabble Score: 13

retronym is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
retronym is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
retronym is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

retronym is a valid Words With Friends word