revolving

The office worker sits in a revolving chair to reach different parts of the desk.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Moving in a circular path around a central point: "revolving" describes something that rotates or turns on an axis.
   • Repeated in a cycle: Used to describe events or processes that occur in a regular, recurring sequence.

2. Verb (present participle of 'revolve'):

   • To move in a circle around a center: The action of rotating or orbiting.
   • To consider or think about repeatedly: To turn over in the mind, as in "revolving an idea."

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The revolving door at the entrance allows many people to enter quickly. (A door that rotates around a central axis.)
  • She sat on a revolving stool while working at the lab bench. (A seat that can spin in a circle.)

• Verb (present participle):

  • The Earth is revolving around the Sun. (Moving in an orbital path.)
  • He kept revolving the problem in his mind all night. (Thinking about it repeatedly.)

Advanced Usage

• "Revolving credit": a type of credit that can be used repeatedly up to a certain limit, such as a credit card.

  • She used her revolving credit line to pay for the emergency repairs. (A flexible borrowing arrangement.)

• "Revolving fund": a fund that is continuously replenished as money is spent and repaid.

  • The organization maintains a revolving fund for small business loans. (A self-renewing financial resource.)

Variants and Related Words

• Revolve (verb): the base form meaning to turn or rotate.

  • The planets revolve around the Sun. (They move in orbits.)

• Revolver (noun): a type of handgun with a rotating cylinder.

  • The detective carried a revolver in his holster. (A gun that rotates chambers for firing.)

• Revolution (noun): a complete circular movement or a fundamental change.

  • The wheel made one full revolution. (A full turn.)

Synonyms

• Rotating: turning around a central axis.
• Spinning: rapidly turning in a circle.
• Orbiting: moving in a curved path around a larger body.
• Cyclical: occurring in a repeated sequence.

Phrasal Verbs (with 'revolve')

• Revolve around: to have as a central focus or main subject.

  • Her life revolves around her children. (Her activities and attention center on them.)

• Revolve around: to move in a circular path around something.

  • The moon revolves around the Earth. (It orbits the planet.)

Related Idioms

• Revolving door: a situation where people or things come and go rapidly or repeatedly.

  • The company's high turnover rate made it a revolving door for employees. (People constantly entered and left.)

• Wheels within wheels: a situation where complex, often hidden, forces are at work (sometimes related to revolving mechanisms).

  • The politics of the committee felt like wheels within wheels. (Interconnected, revolving influences.)