revolve

American  

[ri-volv] / rɪˈvɒlv /

verb (used without object)

revolved, revolving

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.

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verb (used with object)

revolved, revolving

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 British  

/ 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

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noun

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

Related Words

See turn.

Other Word Forms

• revolvable adjective
• revolvably adverb
• unrevolved adjective

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.

Example Sentences

Software executives, startup founders and investors all said the next phase of scrutiny on companies should revolve around their resilience and what changes they are making to adjust to the rise of AI.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Her days now revolve around planning when she can use electricity -- to "do laundry, wash, recharge batteries."

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

That’s not the case for huge swaths of the population here, and certainly not for the people whose entire livelihoods revolve around dealing with the trash and pollutants that are the cost of development.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

"All my holidays revolve around Hyrox or I incorporate events into holidays," she tells the BBC World Service.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2026

“What makes you think that Garvey has the time to come out here to this island to baby-sit you? The world doesn’t revolve around Cole Matthews.”

From "Touching Spirit Bear" by Ben Mikaelsen

Related Words

• rotate
• whirl