# revolve

/ɹiˈvɑɫv/ (US) · /ɹɪvˈɒlv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/revolve
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to orbit

verb · CEFR B2

to move in a circle around a central object, like a planet around the sun.

For teachers: to move in a curved path or orbit around a central point or object.

- The Earth revolves around the sun once every year.
- Astronomers observed the distant exoplanet as it revolved around its host star at an incredibly high velocity.

Usage: Intransitive; usually takes the preposition 'around'.

### 2. to rotate

verb · CEFR B2

to turn around a central point or a fixed line.

For teachers: to turn or spin around a central axis.

- The wheel began to revolve slowly as the machine started up.
- The cooling fan is designed to revolve at variable speeds depending on the internal temperature of the processor.

Usage: Can be used transitively or intransitively.

### 3. to focus on

verb · CEFR B2

to have someone or something as the main interest or center of attention.

For teachers: to have a specified person or thing as a central theme or focus.

- Her whole life revolves around her children and their school activities.
- The entire corporate strategy revolves around the acquisition of smaller tech startups to bolster their patent portfolio.

Usage: Always used with 'around'.

### 4. to consider

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

to think about something carefully for a long time.

For teachers: to reflect upon or ponder a thought or problem repeatedly.

- He revolved the problem in his mind for days before finding a solution.
- The philosopher revolved the ethical dilemma in his mind, weighing the consequences of each possible action.

Usage: Transitive; the object is usually a thought, idea, or problem.

### 5. theatre stage

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a part of a theater stage that can turn in a circle to change the scenery.

For teachers: a revolving circular platform forming part of a stage floor, used to change scenes quickly.

- The set changed instantly as the revolve turned to show the inside of the house.
- The director made clever use of the revolve to transition seamlessly between the gritty street scene and the opulent ballroom.

## Examples

- The Earth revolves around the Sun.
- The entire conversation seemed to revolve around their upcoming vacation plans rather than the business at hand.
- In many classical models of the universe, astronomers believed that every celestial body revolved around the Earth in perfect, concentric spheres.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.