revolve
Americanverb (used without object)
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to move in a circular or curving course or orbit.
The earth revolves around the sun.
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to turn around or rotate, as on an axis.
The wheel revolves slowly.
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to proceed or occur in a round or cycle; come around again in the process of time; recur.
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to be revolved in the mind.
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to focus or center on.
verb
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to move or cause to move around a centre or axis; rotate
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(intr) to occur periodically or in cycles
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to consider or be considered
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(intr; foll by around or about) to be centred or focused (upon)
Juliet's thoughts revolved around Romeo
noun
Synonym Usage
See turn.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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revolvesimple
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revolvessimple
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have revolvedperfect
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has revolvedperfect
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am revolvingprogressive
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are revolvingprogressive
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is revolvingprogressive
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have been revolvingperfect progressive
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has been revolvingperfect progressive
Past
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revolvedsimple
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had revolvedperfect
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was revolvingprogressive
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were revolvingprogressive
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had been revolvingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of revolve
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English revolven, from Latin revolvere “to roll back,” equivalent to re- re- + volvere “to roll, turn round”
Explanation
When something revolves, it turns on an axis or in an orbit around something else. People who love you probably think the world revolves around you (but really, the earth revolves around the sun). Revolve comes from those useful Latin roots re- "again" or "back" and volvere "roll," as seen in evolution, involve, and lots of other familiar words. Picture a revolving door, and you can understand what it means to revolve, or turn in a circular motion.
Vocabulary lists containing revolve
Space Science (Astronomy) - Introductory
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Earth and the Solar System - Introductory
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Earth and Space 2: Space
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They follow early adopters like Crocs, Revolve Group and L’Oréal in the race to capture scrolling shoppers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
Some of Coachella’s most elite attendees won’t spend their day at the actual festival, choosing instead to hop between the many exclusive day parties, powered by brands like Revolve.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
“It was quite simple. We saw the impact pretty immediately in terms of traffic to the site and conversion sales,” said Raissa Gerona, chief brand officer for Revolve.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
Revolve has learned to live with a return rate that is nearly triple the typical online retail average, all while posting significant earnings gains.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Do not, I pray, because in limb and fortune You still are unassailed, and still your eyes Revolve undimmed and sparkling in their spheres; Oh, do not, therefore, disregard our wrongs!
From Wilhelm Tell by Schiller, Friedrich
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
