retrofit

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To supply (a device, structure, etc.) with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; to modernize.
2. (transitive) To add or substitute (new components or parts) that were not previously available for or installed in a device, structure, etc.
3. (transitive) Synonym of backport (“to retroactively supply a fix or feature to a previous version of a software product at the same time or after supplying it to the current version.”).
4. (figuratively, transitive) To give new characteristics or make alterations (to someone or something) to suit them to changed circumstances.
5. (intransitive) To supply a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Noun

1. An act of supplying a device, structure, etc., with new components or parts that were not previously available or installed; a retrofitting.
2. A change made to a device, structure, etc., by introducing components or parts that were not previously available or installed.

Synonyms

modification

improve

convert

embellish

improvement

perfect

rebuild

refine

reform

refresh

remodeling

renew

renewal

renovate

renovation

replacement

transformation

update

updating

better

replacement and maintenance

consummate

Translations

modernizar

aperfeiçoar

Nachrüsten

Umrüsten

modernitzar

correcció

تجهيز تحسيني

verbessern

perfeccionar

vervollkommnen

weiterentwickeln

perfektionieren

nachrüsten

mettre en conformité

corregir

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌɹɛtɹəʊˈfɪt/

Etymology

The verb is derived from retro- (prefix meaning ‘back; backward’) + fit (“to equip, supply”).
The noun, which is first attested later than the verb, is either derived:
* from the verb (see above); or
* from retro- + fit (“act of fitting; conformity of elements one to another”).