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revolutionary
[ rev-uh-loo-shuh-ner-ee ]
/ ˌrɛv əˈlu ʃəˌnɛr i /
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adjective
of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change: a revolutionary junta.
radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc.: a revolutionary discovery.
(initial capital letter) of or relating to the American Revolution or to the period contemporaneous with it in U.S. history: Revolutionary heroes; Revolutionary weapons.
noun, plural rev·o·lu·tion·ar·ies.
a revolutionist.
OTHER WORDS FOR revolutionary
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of revolutionary
First recorded in 1765–75; revolution + -ary
OTHER WORDS FROM revolutionary
Words nearby revolutionary
revoke, revolt, revolting, revolute, revolution, revolutionary, Revolutionary calendar, Revolutionary War, Revolutionary Wars, revolution counter, revolutionist
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use revolutionary in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for revolutionary (1 of 2)
revolutionary
/ (ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənərɪ) /
noun plural -aries
a person who advocates or engages in revolution
adjective
relating to or characteristic of a revolution
advocating or engaged in revolution
radically new or differenta revolutionary method of making plastics
rotating or revolving
Derived forms of revolutionary
revolutionarily, adverbBritish Dictionary definitions for revolutionary (2 of 2)
Revolutionary
/ (ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənərɪ) /
adjective
mainly US of or relating to the conflict or period of the War of American Independence (1775–83)
of or relating to any of various other Revolutions, esp the Russian Revolution (1917) or the French Revolution (1789)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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