Revert: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'revert' when you want to express going back to a previous state, condition, or topic, often in a more formal or technical setting.

• 'After the experiment failed, we had to revert to our original plan
• ' 'Please revert to my earlier email for more details
• '

Use 'return' when referring to coming or going back to a place or person. It's slightly more formal than 'go back' and can be used in both everyday and formal contexts.

• 'The prodigal son decided to return home after many years
• ' 'Please return the book to the library when you're done
• '

Use 'go back' in everyday situations when referring to returning to a previous place or time.

• 'I need to go back to the office to pick up my keys
• ' 'Let's go back to the restaurant we loved last summer
• '

Use 'retrace' when you are talking about following the same path or steps that you previously took, often to find something or to remember a sequence of events.

• 'We had to retrace our steps to find the lost trail
• ' 'I tried to retrace my actions to remember where I left my wallet
• '

Used when talking about returning to an earlier state, condition, or topic, often in communication or technical fields.

• Please revert to the previous version of the document.
• I will revert to you with more details after the meeting.

Used mainly in legal and familial contexts to refer to a person who is legally entitled to inherit the property or title of another upon that person's death. The word can carry negative connotations if implying someone is waiting for someone to die.

• He is the rightful heir to the family estate.
• As the only heir, she inherited everything from her aunt.

Commonly used in legal, financial, or social contexts to describe a person or entity that receives benefits or profits from something, especially a will, insurance policy, or trust.

• She named her children as beneficiaries in her will.
• The insurance company will pay the sum assured to the beneficiary.