retrosexual: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “retrosexual” mean?
A person, especially a man, who adopts traditional masculine styles and behaviors from past decades.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person, especially a man, who adopts traditional masculine styles and behaviors from past decades.
Often implies a humorous or ironic rejection of modern, metrosexual trends in favor of classic, rugged aesthetics and attitudes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; spelling and pronunciation vary slightly (e.g., British /əʊ/ vs. American /oʊ/).
Connotations
Similar in both regions, often used humorously or to describe niche fashion trends.
Frequency
Rare in both, but occasionally appears in media and discussions about gender and style.
Grammar
How to Use “retrosexual” in a Sentence
be a retrosexualidentify as retrosexualdescribe someone as retrosexualVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retrosexual” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His retrosexual attire includes tweed jackets and brogues.
- That pub has a retrosexual vibe with its vintage decor.
American English
- His retrosexual style features denim jackets and work boots.
- The barbershop promotes a retrosexual aesthetic with classic cuts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; not applicable in formal business contexts.
Academic
Might appear in cultural studies, sociology, or gender studies discussions.
Everyday
Used in informal conversations about fashion, lifestyle, or personal identity.
Technical
Not a technical term; no specific usage in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retrosexual”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retrosexual”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retrosexual”
- Using it to describe any old-fashioned person without the masculine connotation.
- Mispronouncing it with stress on the first syllable instead of on 'sex'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's a niche term primarily used in informal discussions about gender, fashion, and lifestyle trends.
Typically, it refers to men, but it can be applied to women in a broader sense, though this is less common and might require context.
Retrosexual embraces traditional, often rugged masculinity from past decades, while metrosexual refers to men who are meticulous about their appearance and adopt lifestyle habits associated with urban sophistication.
It emerged in the early 2000s as a humorous or ironic counterpoint to the metrosexual trend, gaining some traction in media and cultural commentary.
A person, especially a man, who adopts traditional masculine styles and behaviors from past decades.
Retrosexual is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Retrosexual: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛtrəʊˈsɛkʃuəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛtroʊˈsɛkʃuəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'retro' for past styles and 'sexual' for gender roles, so a retrosexual is someone who prefers old-fashioned masculine roles.
Conceptual Metaphor
Masculinity as a vintage artifact
Practice
Quiz
What does the term 'retrosexual' primarily refer to?