Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

retcon

noun

/ˈrɛt.kɒn/

Definition

A retcon, short for ‘retroactive continuity’, is a literary device in which previously established facts in a narrative are adjusted, changed, or disregarded to serve a new story or continuity.

Examples

The new film series chose to retcon previous events to align with the director’s vision.
Many fans were upset when the comic book series decided to retcon key character origins.

Meaning

Retconning is often used in storytelling, especially in comics, television shows, and films, to alter or revise history to fit new developments or themes.