1 B1 neutral
To return to a previous condition, habit, or way of behaving after a period of change.
"After a few weeks of healthy eating, she reverted back to her old habits of skipping breakfast."
revert back
B2 neutral intransitive
To return to a previous state, habit, or system.
In plain English
To go back to the way things were before.
What does "revert back" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To return a system, device, or file to an earlier version or configuration.
"The software update caused problems, so the IT team reverted back to the previous version."
3 B2 idiomatic informal
(Informal, especially British) To reply or respond to someone — though this use is non-standard and often criticized.
"I'll revert back to you once I've checked the figures."
Usage tip
Note: 'revert back' is widely considered redundant since 'revert' already contains the meaning of 'back'. The preferred form is simply 'revert to'. However, 'revert back' is extremely common in everyday speech and informal writing.
Words that pair with "revert back"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
old habits original settings previous version default former self type
How to conjugate "revert back"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
revert back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reverts back
he/she/it
Past simple
reverted back
yesterday
Past participle
reverted back
have + pp
-ing form
reverting back
continuous
Hear "revert back" in the wild
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Other ways to say "revert back"
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