revolve

[ ri-volv ]

verb (used without object)

, re·volved, re·volv·ing.

1. to move in a circular or curving course or orbit:

   The earth revolves around the sun.

   Synonyms: circle, orbit

2. to turn around or rotate, as on an axis:

   The wheel revolves slowly.

3. to proceed or occur in a round or cycle; come around again in the process of time; recur.
4. to be revolved in the mind.
5. to focus or center on.

verb (used with object)

, re·volved, re·volv·ing.

1. to cause to turn around, as on an axis.
2. to cause to move in a circular or curving course, as about a central point.
3. to think about; consider.

   Synonyms: study, ponder

revolve

/ rɪˈvɒlv /

verb

1. to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate
2. intr to occur periodically or in cycles
3. to consider or be considered
4. intr; foll by around or about to be centred or focused (upon)

   Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo

noun

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

Derived Forms

• reˈvolvable, adjective
• reˈvolvably, adverb

Other Words From

• re·volva·ble adjective
• re·volva·bly adverb
• unre·volved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of revolve¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English revolven, from Latin revolvere “to roll back,” equivalent to re- re- + volvere “to roll, turn round”

Word History and Origins

Origin of revolve¹

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

Synonym Study

See turn.

Example Sentences

The story revolves around Daphne, a young American woman who has come to the city of her parents’ birth to explore her heritage.

From Washington Post

The biggest argument for Rivers’s Hall of Fame entry revolves around his total passing yards and touchdowns.

From Washington Post

Marketing strategy will still revolve around data, but in a different ecosystem.

From Digiday

It revolves around a problem that, curiously, is both solved and unsolved, closed and open.

From Quanta Magazine

All those conversations we had about whether and when to become parents revolved around a future that is no longer ours.

From Washington Post

Somehow, everything in the world has to revolve around men here, men and their parts.

From The Daily Beast

Our debates about federal budgets still revolve around degrees of imposed austerity.

From The Daily Beast

In the 1980s and 1990s, blockbusters were star vehicles; now they revolve around brands (Marvel Comics) and concepts (vampires).

From The Daily Beast

Although many of his films revolve around a past time, Wolf is not a nostalgic.

From The Daily Beast

“Prison has taught me that the world does not revolve around me,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

About this centre the spheres revolve, each in a way swinging around the other.

From Project Gutenberg

The center wheel must revolve once in each hour, which is 61⁄2 times faster than the barrel.

From Project Gutenberg

The several plans I revolve in my mind do not prove, upon closer examination, feasible.

From Project Gutenberg

The vapours revolve, the waves spin, the giddy Naiads roll; sea and sky are livid; noises as of cries of despair are in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

When the current is applied, the disk will revolve in a direction relative to the position of the poles on the magnet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rotate
• whirl