First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1retard
verb re·tard \ri-ˈtärd\
: to slow down the development or progress of (something)
Full Definition of RETARD
transitive verb
1
: to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede
2
: to delay academic progress by failure to promote
intransitive verb
: to undergo retardation
— re·tard·er noun
See retard defined for English-language learners
See retard defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of RETARD
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- + tardus slow
Related to RETARD
- Synonyms
- brake, decelerate, slow, slacken
- Antonyms
- accelerate, hasten, hurry, quicken, rush, speed (up), step up
Synonym Discussion of RETARD
delay, retard, slow, slacken, detain mean to cause to be late or behind in movement or progress. delay implies a holding back, usually by interference, from completion or arrival <bad weather delayed our arrival>. retard suggests reduction of speed without actual stopping <language barriers retarded their progress>. slow and slacken also imply a reduction of speed, slow often suggesting deliberate intention <medication slowed the patient's heart rate>, slacken an easing up or relaxing of power or effort <on hot days runners slacken their pace>. detain implies a holding back beyond a reasonable or appointed time <unexpected business had detained her>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
delay, procrastinate, lag, loiter, dawdle, dally mean to move or act slowly so as to fall behind. delay usually implies a putting off (as a beginning or departure) <we cannot delay any longer>. procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy <procrastinates about making decisions>. lag implies failure to maintain a speed set by others <lagging behind in technology>. loiter and dawdle imply delay while in progress, especially in walking, but dawdle more clearly suggests an aimless wasting of time <loitered at several store windows> <children dawdling on their way home from school>. dally suggests delay through trifling or vacillation when promptness is necessary <stop dallying and get to work>.
Rhymes with RETARD
Asgard, backyard, barnyard, blackguard, blowhard, boatyard, bombard, boneyard, brassard, brickyard, charge card, churchyard, cloth yard, coast guard, courtyard, dance card, deeryard, die-hard, diehard, discard, dockyard, dooryard, face card, farmyard, fireguard, flash card, foulard, Fugard, Gerard, graveyard, green card, ill-starred, jacquard, junkyard, lifeguard, main yard, mansard, mass card, Midgard, milliard, mudguard, noseguard, off guard, old guard, on guard, Oxnard, phone card, Picard, placard, point guard, postcard, poularde, punch card, rear guard, rearguard, Red Guard, regard, ritard, safeguard, scorecard, shipyard, smart card, sound card, spikenard, steelyard, stockyard, switchyard, tabard, tanyard, tiltyard, time card, unbarred, unguard, vizard, wild card
2retard
noun re·tard
Definition of RETARD
1
\ri-ˈtärd\ : a holding back or slowing down : retardation
2
\ˈrē-ˌtärd\ often offensive : a retarded person; also : a person held to resemble a retarded person in behavior
See retard defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RETARD
1788
RETARD Defined for Kids
retard
verb re·tard \ri-ˈtärd\
re·tard·edre·tard·ing
Definition of RETARD for Kids
: to slow down : delay <Bad weather retarded our progress.>
Medical Dictionary
retard
transitive verb re·tard \ri-ˈtärd\
Medical Definition of RETARD
: to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or development <retard spoilage> <retard hair loss>
Learn More About RETARD
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: retardancePrevious Word in the Dictionary: retan All Words Near: retard
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up retard? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).