English Meaning & Definitions
To draw back or in something that is extended or protruding.
- “The cat extended its claws and then quickly retracted them.”
- “The landing gear of the aircraft begins to retract immediately after takeoff.”
To withdraw a statement, offer, or accusation as being untrue or unwelcome.
- “He was forced to retract his insulting remarks and issue a public apology.”
- “The newspaper published a formal notice to retract the false report.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “retract”.
Derived from the Latin 'retractus', the past participle of 'retrahere', meaning 'to draw back' (from 're-' meaning 'back' + 'trahere' meaning 'to draw'). Originally used in physical contexts of drawing something back into itself, it later evolved to include the figurative withdrawal of statements, promises, or offers.
Think of 're-' (back) + 'tractor' (pulling vehicle). A tractor pulls things; to re-tract is to pull something back in.
Frequently Asked Questions About “retract”
1. What is the meaning of “retract” in English?
In English, retract (verb) is defined as: “To draw back or in something that is extended or protruding.”.
2. How do you use “retract” in a sentence?
“The cat extended its claws and then quickly retracted them.”
3. What are English synonyms of “retract”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “retract”?
Derived from the Latin 'retractus', the past participle of 'retrahere', meaning 'to draw back' (from 're-' meaning 'back' + 'trahere' meaning 'to draw'). Originally used in physical contexts of drawing something back into itself, it later evolved to include the figurative withdrawal of statements, promises, or offers.
🇬🇧More English Words to English
View all English words →A measurement of time indicating an instantaneous occurrence or a state where no time has elapsed.
The base unit of time in the International System of Units (SI), equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the caesium-133 atom.
A specific duration of time equal to one hour and forty-six minutes and twelve seconds.
The cardinal number equal to one thousand million (1,000,000,000), expressed in scientific notation as 10^9.