Meaning & Definition
verb
to go back over the course of something, especially in a backward direction or to return to a previous location.
After realizing he had forgotten his phone, he decided to retrace his steps back to the coffee shop.
to trace again or to draw over (a line or path).
The artist had to retrace the outlines of her sketch to make it more pronounced.
to repeat an action or event for the purpose of finding the way back.
The detective needed to retrace the suspect's movements to gather more clues.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from re- 'again' + trace.
Common Phrases and Expressions
retrace one's steps:
To go back on the route already taken.
retrace the timeline:
To review in chronological order the sequence of events.
retrace the procedure:
To go through the steps of a process again.
Slang Meanings