verb
revolve
rih-VOLV
verb
1
To move in a circular path around a central point.
"The Earth revolves around the Sun."
2
To turn or rotate on an axis.
"The restaurant sits atop a tower that slowly revolves."
3
To have something as a central focus or theme.
"His whole life revolves around his work."
How to Use Revolve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo go around a central point, or (figuratively) to have something as the main focus.
Common mistake
Orbiting is "revolving around" something else, while spinning in place is "rotating" — the Earth revolves around the Sun but rotates on its own axis.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
revolve around
the plot revolves around
Word Forms
revolved past tense, revolves plural, revolves singular
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The Earth _____ around the Sun.
Etymology
From Old French revolver, from Latin revolvere, "to roll back" — re- plus volvo, "to roll".