revolve

[ ri-volv ]

/ rɪˈvɒlv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolve ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

to move in a circular or curving course or orbit: The earth revolves around the sun.

to turn around or rotate, as on an axis: The wheel revolves slowly.

to proceed or occur in a round or cycle; come around again in the process of time; recur.

to be revolved in the mind.

to focus or center on.

verb (used with object), re·volved, re·volv·ing.

to cause to turn around, as on an axis.

to cause to move in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.

to think about; consider.

Nearby words

Origin of revolve

1350–1400; Middle English revolven < Latin revolvere to roll back, equivalent to re- re- + volvere to roll, turn round

SYNONYMS FOR revolve

1. orbit, circle. 2. See turn. 8. ponder, study.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR revolve ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsre·volv·a·ble, adjectivere·volv·a·bly, adverbun·re·volved, adjective

Can be confusedrevolve rotate¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for revolve

Somehow, everything in the world has to revolve around men here, men and their parts.
What It Feels Like For a Girl in Iraq|Noor|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the 1980s and 1990s, blockbusters were star vehicles; now they revolve around brands (Marvel Comics) and concepts (vampires).
Is This the End of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Comeback?|Andrew Romano|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Prison has taught me that the world does not revolve around me,” he says.
The Party Monster Lives For the Applause: Michael Alig’s Second Act|Caitlin Dickson|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Like the Colosseum, Jep both stands above and is a part of the grotesqueries that revolve around him.
The New Fellini: Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘The Great Beauty’|Jimmy So|November 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The story was originally to revolve around Jikisai Minami, a well-respected Zen Buddhist priest in Aomori prefecture.
Japanese Horror Director Tackles the 3/11 Tsunami|Jake Adelstein, Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky|February 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A sharp cutting instrument, fixed on a bench, is brought into contact with the surface of the sphere, which is made to revolve.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 1, No. 2, July, 1850.|Various
The weight descending caused the cylinder to revolve, setting the train in motion.
Time Telling through the Ages|Harry Chase Brearley
Indeed, even while he was speaking the wheels of Fate had already begun to revolve.
The Missionary|George Griffith
Henceforward he and his two colleagues were the pivots around which the further proceedings were to revolve.
The Delight Makers|Adolf Bandelier
As we revolve in our orbit we approach or recede any given star, and our rate of motion being known we thus obtain a second test.
The Beauties of Nature|Sir John Lubbock

British Dictionary definitions for revolve

revolve

/ (rɪˈvɒlv) /

verb

to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate

(intr) to occur periodically or in cycles

to consider or be considered

(intr ; foll by around or about) to be centred or focused (upon)Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo

noun

theatre a circular section of a stage that can be rotated by electric power to provide a scene change

Derived Formsrevolvable, adjectiverevolvably, adverb

Word Origin for revolve

C14: from Latin revolvere, from re- + volvere to roll, wind

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

Word Origin and History for revolve

revolve

late 14c., "to change direction, bend around, turn (the eyes) back," from Old French revolver and directly from Latin revolvere "roll back, unroll, unwind; happen again, return; go over, repeat," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + volvere "to roll" (see volvox). In 15c., "to turn over (in the mind or heart), meditate." Meaning "travel around a central point" first recorded 1660s (earlier "cause to travel in an orbit around a central point," mid-15c.). Related: Revolved; revolving.