retcon.
A fictional setting in which a new storyline explains or changes a previous event or attaches a new significance to it.
Meaning & usage
A fictional setting in which a new storyline explains or changes a previous event or attaches a new significance to it.
Where this word comes from
A blend of retroactive + continuity. The term retroactive continuity was popularized by comics writer Roy Thomas, who was known for writing superhero comic books set decades in the past, such as All-Star Squadron, and attributes it to an anonymous source.
To employ such a device.
Where this word comes from
A blend of retroactive + continuity. The term retroactive continuity was popularized by comics writer Roy Thomas, who was known for writing superhero comic books set decades in the past, such as All-Star Squadron, and attributes it to an anonymous source.
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Definitions, grammatical labels, IPA, etymology and examples: Wiktionary contributors, extracted by Kaikki / Wiktextract. Adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. Selected fields and authored examples are shown; third-party quotations and audio are omitted. See contributor history.
Last enriched 2026-09-10. Definitions are in English. Romanizations are shown when supplied by the source; syllable estimates are omitted for unsupported scripts.