DictionaryAI

retard

ri-TAHRD/ɹɪˈtɑː(ɹ)d/ri-TAHD/ɹɪˈtɑː(ɹ)d/

Pluralretards

Verbretards, retarding, retarded

6 meanings of retard

Practice

  1. 1
    USREE-tahrd/ˈɹiˌtɑɹd/UKREE-tahd/ˈɹiːtɑːd/
    idiotnounderogatoryoffensiveslurcolloquialcountable
    A rude, hurtful word for someone thought to be very stupid or slow to learn.

    Similardolt, bonehead, birdbrain, bozo, chump

    Note
  2. 2
    hinder progressverbtransitive
    To make something go slower or happen later than it would, or stop it from moving forward.

    Heavy snow retarded the army's march through the mountains.

    Some chemicals retard the spread of fire.

    UsageFormal; slow down is the everyday word.

    Similarslow, delay, hinder, impede, inhibit

    Oppositeaccelerate, advance, promote, boost

  3. 3
    USREE-tahrd/ˈɹiˌtɑɹd/UKREE-tahd/ˈɹiːtɑːd/
    disabled personnounderogatoryoffensiveslurdatedcountable
    An old, hurtful word for a person with a disability that affects learning and thinking.

    UsageSay a person with an intellectual disability.

    Note
  4. 4
    delaynoununcountable
    A delay or holding back, now used mostly about engines, when the spark is set to fire later.

    The mechanic said the engine needed a little more spark retard.

    Too much retard makes the old car feel slow.

    Similardelay, retardation, hold-up

    Oppositeadvance

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To be slow or late, or to stay behind instead of going on.
    Note
  2. 6
    noun
    In music, a part where the music gets slower.

Practice

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Origin

It comes from a Latin word meaning “to slow down”, from tardus, “slow”.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts