What does retold mean?
Retold is the past tense and past participle of retell, meaning to tell a story or account again. It often implies that the event or story is being presented afresh, sometimes from a different perspective, in a revised form, or in greater detail. The word is widely used in literary and historical contexts: a novelist may retold an ancient legend, while a witness may retold the events of the day. Because it can function before a noun, as in "a retold version" or "a retold account," it describes something that has been narrated again. Retold combines the familiar root tell with the prefix re-, making its meaning fairly transparent. It is useful where repetition alone would sound too literal, because the word suggests active retelling and renewed presentation rather than merely saying the same words once more.
Past tense and past participle of retell; narrated or recounted again.
"The guide retold the legend of the castle as they walked through the ruins."
Often suggests recounting a story or event in a new form, style, or context.
Narrated or recounted again, especially in a revised or different form.
"The exhibition combines original documents with a retold account of the voyage."
Common chiefly in attributive constructions such as "a retold story," "a retold version," and "a retold account."
Retold stories keep old tales alive by giving familiar events a fresh voice.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does retold come from?
Retold is the past tense and past participle of retell, formed from the prefix re- and the verb tell. The root tell comes from Old English tellan, meaning to recount or relate. Related English words include tale and tally, although the precise historical paths of their meanings vary.
Related word forms
How retold is actually used
Retold is the past tense and past participle of retell. It is standard in both British and American English and is commonly used attributively, as in "a retold version."