gravitate
Americanverb (used without object)
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to move or tend to move under the influence of gravitational force.
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to tend toward the lowest level; sink; fall.
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to have a natural tendency or be strongly attracted (usually followed by to ortoward ).
Musicians gravitate toward one another.
verb
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physics to move under the influence of gravity
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to be influenced or drawn, as by strong impulses
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to sink or settle
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gravitate
First recorded in 1635–45; from New Latin gravitātus (past participle of gravitāre “to obey the laws of gravitation,” coined by Sir Isaac Newton ); see gravity, -ate 1
Explanation
To gravitate is to move toward or feel attracted to something. People gravitate toward things they like. Gravitate used to refer to how gravity pulls objects toward the Earth, but now it also describes how people are pulled toward things they like. Little kids gravitate towards playgrounds, someone athletic will gravitate toward sports, and someone with a nice voice might gravitate toward a singing career. Dogs gravitate toward squirrels — they move toward them whenever they have a chance. But don’t blame gravity for that one!
Vocabulary lists containing gravitate
Good Grief!: Grav, Griev
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"Simplexity," Vocabulary from the science writing
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Stargirl
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But ultimately a lot of refugees still gravitate to Glasgow even if they were housed elsewhere while awaiting asylum decisions, because there are established communities, charities and faith centres offering support in the city.
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
However, I can’t deny their appeal and why fans have continued to gravitate toward these shows season after season.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
"He's very calm. Even when he does get upset, there's a calmness to his demeanor, which I think most people really gravitate to."
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
Research clearly shows what fans gravitate to, Chesser said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026
I was closer to Addie’s sister, Junie—I just seemed to gravitate toward her.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
