Meaning & use
retrofits
Last updated
“retrofits” is a form of “retrofit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
To add new parts or equipment to a machine, building, or system after it has been made or built, especially to improve it or make it meet new standards.
Grammar: Takes an object: retrofit a building. Often used in the passive: the factory was retrofitted with new filters.
Patterns
- retrofit something with something
- retrofit something to do something
- retrofit something for something
The city plans to retrofit all public buildings with better insulation.
Engineers retrofitted the old factory to reduce its carbon emissions.
They retrofitted the ship with a modern navigation system.
nouncountable
An addition of new parts or equipment to something already built or in use, especially to improve performance or meet new rules.
Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural: 'retrofits' are the individual changes or the projects themselves.
Patterns
- a retrofit of something
- carry out retrofits
- retrofits to something
The school received retrofits to its heating and cooling systems.
Retrofits of older homes can significantly lower energy bills.
The company specializes in seismic retrofits for bridges.
Word forms
| third person singular | retrofits |
|---|---|
| past tense | retrofitted |
| past participle | retrofitted |
| -ing form | retrofitting |
| plural | retrofits |
Common combinations
- energy retrofit
- The energy retrofit included new windows and solar panels.
- seismic retrofit
- A seismic retrofit can help buildings survive earthquakes.
- retrofit program
- The government launched a retrofit program to cut emissions.
- retrofit kit
- You can buy a retrofit kit to convert your car to electric.
- retrofit with
- They retrofitted the old buses with cleaner engines.
Synonyms and how they differ
- upgrade
- Often suggests improving to a newer or better version; 'retrofit' focuses on adding new parts to something already existing, not necessarily replacing it entirely.
- modernize
- Means making something more modern in style or function; 'retrofit' is more technical and usually implies specific equipment or systems.
- renovate
- Means repairing and restoring a building to good condition; 'retrofit' adds new features, not just repairs.
Word family
- retrofitting noun
- The act or process of adding new parts or equipment to something already built.
- retrofittable adjective
- Capable of being retrofitted; able to have new parts added.
Commonly confused: retrofits or refit? retrofits or retroactive?
retrofits vs refit
'Refit' means to replace or repair parts of a ship or building, often after damage; 'retrofit' means adding new equipment or technology to improve performance or meet new standards.
retrofits vs retroactive
'Retroactive' means applying to a period before a law or decision was made; it is unrelated in meaning to 'retrofit'.
Practice
The company decided to _____ its delivery vans with electric motors to reduce pollution.
Choose one answer.
'Retrofit' fits because it means adding new equipment (electric motors) to existing vehicles. 'Retroactive' is an adjective meaning applying to the past, not a verb. 'Refit' means repair or replace parts, not add new technology for improvement. 'Renovate' is used for buildings, not vehicles, and means restore to good condition.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “retrofits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.