revert

Everyday

1. To go back to an earlier state, habit or way of doing things. tree →
2. (computing) To undo changes and go back to an earlier version of a file or page. tree →
3. (law) For property to go back to its first owner. tree →
4. (business English) "Revert to you" is sometimes used to mean "reply to you" — this is common in India, but many speakers think it is wrong. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people revert to old habits. In computing and online, editors revert changes to a Wikipedia page or a document. In science, something may revert to its natural state, like a garden reverting to wild. Phrases: revert to, revert back (common but repeats itself), revert changes.

Examples

• After the holiday, I reverted to going to bed late. tree →
• The field reverted to wild meadow. tree →
• The teacher reverted the document to yesterday's version. tree →
• Wikipedia editors reverted the silly changes. tree →
• When he is nervous, he reverts to biting his nails. tree →
• The land reverted to the original owner. tree →

Note

"Revert to" is the pattern. "Revert back" says "back" twice, so careful writers avoid it. Past form: reverted. Noun: reversion. In much English, "revert" does not mean "reply".