Revolve
/rɪˈvɒlv/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo move in a circular orbit or path around a central point.
/rɪˈvɒlv/
To move in a circular path around a central point.
The planets revolve around the sun.
💡 Simply: Imagine a merry-go-round. It *revolves*, or goes around and around in a circle. Think about the Earth moving around the sun—that’s also revolving!
👶 For kids: To go around and around in a circle.
More Examples
The carousel revolved slowly.
The Earth revolves once every 365 days.
How It's Used
"The Earth revolves around the sun."
"The wheels of the car revolve as it moves forward."
To have as its central theme or be centered around.
/rɪˈvɒlv/
To have as its main subject or be based on.
The discussion revolved around the upcoming election.
💡 Simply: Think about a really important topic everyone's talking about at a meeting. That topic *revolves* the whole conversation and everything is about it!
👶 For kids: To be mostly about something.
More Examples
The plot of the movie revolves around a mystery.
The debate revolved around climate change.
How It's Used
"The novel revolves around the protagonist's struggle for survival."
"The meeting revolved around the company's financial difficulties."
To think about something again; to consider carefully.
/rɪˈvɒlv/
To consider or discuss something again.
The committee will revolve the matter at their next meeting.
💡 Simply: When you can't decide something, or want to check again, you *revolve* the decision, like turning it around and around in your head!
👶 For kids: To think about something again.
More Examples
The board will revolve the proposal before the vote.
Let's revolve this point one more time to be sure that we understand the impact of the project.
How It's Used
"The committee will revolve the issue at its next meeting."
"The council will revolve the law to seek changes."
Synonyms
Circle
Orbit
Concern
Consider
Contemplate
Deliberate
Ponder
Idioms & expressions
revolving door
A situation in which people frequently move between different jobs, roles, or positions.
"The company's management has become a revolving door with people coming and going frequently."
From Latin revolvere, meaning 'to roll back, turn around'. It combines 're-' (back) and 'volvere' (to roll).
The word 'revolve' has been used since the 14th century to describe the turning or circular motion of objects.
Memory tip
Imagine a planet's orbit - it always *revolves*.