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revolve around

B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

When everything is about one thing or one person — like planets going around the sun.

Literal meaning: To move in a circle around a central point, like the Earth revolving around the Sun.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

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)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

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
Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic neutral

To be organized around a central idea, activity, or schedule.

"Their daily routine revolves around the school timetable."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

life money work relationship theme idea plot

Forms

Base
revolve around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
revolves around
he/she/it
Past simple
revolved around
yesterday
Past participle
revolved around
have + pp
-ing form
revolving around
continuous

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Synonyms

centre on focus on be centred around be based on hinge on orbit around

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