To have something as the central focus or main concern.
When everything is about one thing or one person — like planets going around the sun.
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To move physically in a circle around a central point.
"The planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits."
Everything revolves around the sun.
— Galileo Galilei (attributed paraphrase of heliocentric theory)
To have something or someone as the most important element; to be mainly about or focused on something.
"His whole world revolves around his children — he would do anything for them."
The whole plot revolves around a mistaken identity.
— Common critical description of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors
To be organized around a central idea, activity, or schedule.
"Their daily routine revolves around the school timetable."
To move in a circle around a central point, like the Earth revolving around the Sun.
When everything is about one thing or one person — like planets going around the sun.
Very common in everyday English. Can describe physical rotation or, more commonly, figurative centrality. Often used to describe a person's life, a story's theme, or a conversation topic.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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