26984 words

retrace

6 definitions • 8 examples
1
to go back over something, for example a path or a series of past actions:

Examples:

When he realized he had lost his keys, he retraced in his mind his movements that day.
2
to go back to a place in the same way that you came:

Examples:

She walked straight past her office and then had to retrace her steps.
3
to repeat a series of things you did previously:

Examples:

Scientists often retrace their steps to see where an experiment has gone wrong.
4
to repeat a journey that someone else did:

Examples:

A woman police officer will retrace the steps of the murdered schoolgirl in a reconstruction.
Pilgrimages often involve devotees retracing the footsteps of a saint.
5
to repeat a series of things that someone did previously:

Examples:

Students of his work will be grateful for the opportunity to retrace his steps.
Kahn frequently retraces his subjects’ steps back through modernity.
6
to go back over a path or a series of past actions:

Examples:

This trail is not circular, so you have to retrace your steps back to the start.

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