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

revolutionary war, revolutionary wars, revolutionist, revolutionize, revolutions of 1848, revolve, revolver, revolving, revolving charge account, revolving credit, revolving door

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 forms

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

Can be confused

revolve 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 Forms

revolvable, 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