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to retrofit

to retrofit

12 6.5
To add new parts or equipment to something old to make it work better
  • verb
  • /ˈrɛtroʊˌfɪt/
translation icon : modernizar
  • She was hired to retrofit vintage cars with modern safety features.
  • retrofit existing
  • retrofitting buildings
  • retrofit an old

So even if you got this building for free, it would take many millions of dollars to retrofit something like this.

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Examples

  • Their aim is to retrofit traditional mud architecture to the needs of today.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The commission is reportedly investing about $2 million to retrofit the plant.

    Academic text (1996)
  • So with these types of devices that are more cost effective, you are able to retrofit equipment.

  • So even if you got this building for free, it would take many millions of dollars to retrofit something like this.

  • Strategies need to be developed to retrofit existing developments, bringing them up to the new standard.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Still, retrofitting an old house for accessibility comes with its challenges.

  • Foster Brothers is in the process of retrofitting its anaerobic digester.

    Academic text (2000)
  • He's a contractor who specializes in retrofitting houses for people with disabilities.

  • Swarthmore College (Pennsylvania), for example, began its vegetated roof program by retrofitting a small storage building.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The city plans to retrofit old buses with cleaner emissions technology.

Synonyms

to update
vsto retrofit
451 2.8

Make something more modern by adding new information or changes

focuses on fitting new parts into items originally built earlier
to modernize
vsto retrofit
51 4.0

To make something more up to date using new tools or ideas

is specific to adding new parts to objects made in the past
to refit
vsto retrofit
3 3.9

To add new parts or fix something so it works again

emphasizes adding improved parts to things made in the past
to retool
vsto retrofit
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Give a factory new tools or machines so it can make different products

applies to updating existing items by adding new parts rather than changing tools
to re-equip
vsto retrofit
4.9

To give new machines or tools to a place after replacing old ones

is about integrating new components into previously manufactured items
to regear
vsto retrofit
7.2

To give someone new tools or equipment for a task

focuses on upgrading older objects by adding improved parts

Antonyms

22 6.5

To officially take a ship, factory, or machine out of use

How Extensive

to rebuild
485 2.8
to retrofit
12 6.5
to update
451 2.8
to repair
365 1.0
patch
  • Specialized
75 3.8

Surface Forms

retrofit infinitive
retrofitted past participle
retrofitting present participle
retrofits third person singular

Morphology

retrofit = fit (semi-transparent) = retro + fit

The prefix 'retro-' suggests a backward or past orientation, and 'fit' suggests making something suitable, but the specific meaning of updating old technology is not immediately apparent.

Etymology

Retrofit comes from retro-, like retro style, meaning 'back' or 'in the past', and fit meaning 'to put in place' or 'make right'. So to retrofit something is to add new parts or technology to an older thing to make it work better today.