Rewind Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈriːwaɪnd/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Pronoun

Definition

A gesture or action that reverses or takes back a prior event, process, or state, often used in a figurative sense to describe a regretful or counterproductive decision.

Examples

• After realizing his mistake, he needed to rewind the conversation to clarify the misunderstanding.
• The company had to rewind their marketing strategy after the product’s disappointing launch.
• Social media users often try to rewind their posts after inadvertently posting something offensive.
• She regretfully had to rewind her plan to visit Paris due to unforeseen circumstances.
• The musician decided to rewind his setlist to perform the audience’s favorite song.
• In retail, customers can rewind their purchases within a certain timeframe for a refund or exchange.

Synonyms

• Reverse
• Undo
• Revoke

Antonyms

• Advance
• Progress
• Move forward

Etymology

The term “rewind” comes from the mechanical process of rewinding a tape or film to its starting point, which was popularized in the 1960s and 1970s. The concept has since been extended to metaphorical and figurative contexts.

Usage Notes

Rewind is often used in informal contexts to describe a regretful or counterproductive decision. It can be used as a verb or an adjective, depending on the context.

Cultural References

Rewind has been referenced in various forms of media, including the film “The Breakfast Club” (1985), the television show “That ’70s Show” (1998-2006), and the song “Rewind” by the Circle Jerks (1983).

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Hit the rewind button
• Take it back
• Go back in time

Related Words or Phrases

• Reverse
• Retrograde
• Undo

Collocations

• rewind the clock
• rewind the tape
• rewind the conversation

Frequency of Use

Rewind is a relatively common term in modern language, particularly in informal contexts. It is often used in discussions about regret, reconsideration, and reversals.

Common Misspellings

• revene
• rewinde