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. to go back to or return to the former owner or to his or her 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 reverts.

Law. a reversion.

OTHER WORDS FOR revert

1, 3 retrogress.

See synonyms for revert on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of revert

1250–1300; Middle English reverten (<Old French revertir) <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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use revert in a sentence

Too many people reverted to a childlike state, and they wanted a daddy-protector.
The U.S. Will Torture Again—and We’re All to Blame|Michael Tomasky|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lonard thinks ha-ha-ha and tells Bantam that the rights have reverted to him, which they have.
Elmore Leonard’s Rocky Road to Fame and Fortune|Mike Lupica|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Finally, in the following episode—last Sunday's "Oathkeeper"—Jaime reverted right back to his good old sympathetic self.
Why We Should Pretend the ‘Game of Thrones’ Rape Scene Never Happened|Andrew Romano|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He had reverted to the controlling and abusive figure who had forced her to flee in the first place.
Threats Preceded High-Rise Suicide, New York Mom Says|Michael Daly|December 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Unfortunately, the film never left development purgatory, and the rights reverted back to Marvel in 2013.
Netflix and Marvel’s ‘Luke Cage’ and a Brief History of Black Superheroes|Chancellor Agard|November 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Her memory reverted to experiences that had made her feel as much older than the ordinary girl as she now felt at sea.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
She then reverted to all she had loved and admired of the beauties of nature, and which she was now to leave forever.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Her emotion must have surprised her, but immediately she regained her placidity and reverted no more to the subject.
The Fifth String |John Philip Sousa
She was going down the stairs, Fortunio a step behind her, when her mind reverted to the happening at La Rochette.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Her mind had reverted at once to Crompton Place, now hers in reality, although she probably did not think of that.
The Cromptons|Mary J. Holmes

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

Medical definitions for revert

revert

[ rĭ-vûrt′ ]

To return to a former condition, practice, subject, or belief.

To undergo genetic reversion.

revert

OTHER WORDS FOR revert

Origin of revert

OTHER WORDS FROM 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

Medical definitions for revert