revert

[ ri-vurt ]

/ rɪˈvɜrt /

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See synonyms for: revert / reverted / reverting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to return to a former habit, practice, belief, condition, etc.: They reverted to the ways of their forefathers.

Law. (of assets) to go back to or return to the former owner or to their heirs.

Biology. to return to an earlier or primitive type.

to go back in thought or discussion: He constantly reverted to his childhood.

noun

a person or thing that goes back.

Law. a reversion.

OTHER WORDS FOR revert

1, 3 retrogress.

See synonyms for revert on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of revert

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English reverten, from Old French revertir, Anglo-French reverter, and Latin revertere “to turn back,” equivalent to re- re- + vertere “to turn”; see verse

OTHER WORDS FROM revert

re·vert·i·ble, adjectivere·vert·i·bil·i·ty, nounre·ver·tive, adjectivere·ver·tive·ly, adverb

non·re·vert·i·ble, adjectivenon·re·ver·tive, adjectiveun·re·vert·ed, adjectiveun·re·vert·i·ble, adjectiveun·re·vert·ing, adjective

Words nearby revert

reversionary annuity, reversionary bonus, reversioner, reversionist, reverso, revert, revertant, reverter, revest, revet, revetment

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use revert in a sentence

I asked him to describe the U.S. mission that will likely revert back to the embassy it was more than a half century ago.
Meet America’s Next Ambassador to Cuba|Eleanor Clift|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If a bad edit appeared, the community could simply get rid of it by clicking on a “revert” link.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And will Pam and Cheryl revert back from the Coke Monster and Cherlene?
'Archer Creator Adam Reed on 'Vice,' Season 6's 'Unreboot,' and New Characters|Marlow Stern|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Classically, by turning on/off several genetic switches, scientists can revert cells to a less specialized stage.
Gene Editing Could Erase HIV|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Michael Zhang|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

For her sake, New York cannot revert to the way it used to be.
Why New York—and Bill de Blasio—May Haunt Hillary Clinton in a 2016 Campaign|Lloyd Green|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unfortunately these people have no children; therefore on their death their property, now considerable, will revert to the master.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
But though they use all their limbs as walking organs, they show no tendency to revert to the habit of the quadrupeds.
Man And His Ancestor|Charles Morris
In the event of her death, this money shall revert to the parish of Pontiac, in whose graveyard I wish my body to lie.
When Valmond Came to Pontiac, Complete|Gilbert Parker
But my thoughts would revert to these last words of Ormsby's.
My New Curate|P.A. Sheehan
So you see these actions are likely to revert to the sender, even if they are successful.
The Hidden Power|Thomas Troward

British Dictionary definitions for revert

revert

verb (rɪˈvɜːt) (intr foll by to)

to go back to a former practice, condition, belief, etcshe reverted to her old wicked ways

to take up again or come back to a former topic

biology (of individuals, organs, etc) to return to a more primitive, earlier, or simpler condition or type

US to reply to someonewe will revert to you with pricing and other details

property law (of an estate or interest in land) to return to its former owner or his heirs when a grant, esp a grant for the lifetime of the grantee, comes to an end

revert to type to resume characteristics that were thought to have disappeared

noun (ˈriːˌvɜːt)

a person who, having been converted, has returned to his former beliefs or Church

Derived forms of revert

reverter, nounrevertible, adjective

Word Origin for revert

C13: from Latin revertere to return, from re- + vertere to turn

usage for revert

Since back is part of the meaning of revert, one should not say that someone reverts back to a certain type of behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

revert

OTHER WORDS FOR revert

Origin of revert

OTHER WORDS FROM revert

Words nearby revert

Words related to revert

How to use revert in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for revert

Derived forms of revert

Word Origin for revert

usage for revert