Retrace: meaning, definitions and examples

To go back over the same path or steps you took before, often used in physical or mental journeys.

• She had to retrace her steps to find the missing earring.
• The detective retraced the suspect's movements to piece together what happened.

To return to a place, topic, or situation, usually for further consideration or reflection.

• He felt it was time to revisit the town where he grew up.
• The committee promised to revisit the policy after six months.

To look over or examine something again, often used for documents, performances, or studies.

• The student decided to review her notes before the exam.
• The editor asked the journalist to review the article for any errors.

Used when someone wants to follow the same path or steps they took previously, often to find something lost or to review past events for better understanding.

• To find my lost keys, I need to retrace my steps from yesterday.
• The detective retraced the suspect's movements to gather more clues.

Used when someone wants to remember or bring back to mind a past event or information. It is often used in personal or official contexts where remembering specifics is important.

• I recall meeting him at the conference last year.
• She could not recall the details of the conversation.

Used when someone wants to go back to a place or topic again, usually to review or reconsider it. It can be physical, like visiting a location, or metaphorical, like reconsidering an idea.

• I plan to revisit my hometown during the summer vacation.
• The committee decided to revisit the policy to incorporate recent feedback.

Used when someone wants to create something again in a similar manner, often in a physical or imaginative sense. This can involve artistic, historical, or scientific contexts.

• The archaeologists aimed to recreate the ancient village based on the findings.
• Children often like to recreate their favorite scenes from movies.