rotate
gb/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt/ us/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt/
A2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Turn around a central axis
To move in a circle around the middle point, or make something do this.
Usage pattern:
to rotate [something] around [a point/axis]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rotate' with 'revolve'. 'Rotate' means turning around your own axis; 'revolve' means moving around another object.
Synonyms
spin (Often implies faster or continuous turning, sometimes without a fixed axis.)
|
turn (A more general word for changing position or direction, not always circular.)
Antonyms
remain still (Means to not move or turn at all.)
|
stay fixed (Means to stay in one position without movement.)
Collocations
rotate slowly
|rotate the wheel
|rotate 360 degrees
|rotate the handle
|rotate clockwise
Themes
movement
|physics
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Earth rotates once every 24 hours.
- Rotate the handle to open the valve.
- He rotated the chair to face the window.
- The dancers rotated gracefully in pairs.
- She rotated the photo until it was straight.
Learner examples
- The Earth rotates around the Sun.
- Rotate the knob to start the machine.
- I rotated my phone to take a wide photo.
- The fan blades rotate quickly.
Verb
B1
action
2
Change roles or positions in order
To take turns doing different jobs or tasks with other people.
Usage pattern:
to rotate [people/tasks] between [positions/times]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'rotate' with 'replace'—rotation involves regular change, not permanent substitution.
Synonyms
alternate (Emphasizes taking turns in sequence.)
|
switch (Informal, broader sense of exchanging roles or things.)
Antonyms
remain in place (Means to stay in the same role or position without change.)
Collocations
rotate shifts
|rotate positions
|rotate players
|rotate duties
Themes
work
|organization
|sports
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We rotate shifts every two weeks.
- The coach decided to rotate players during the game.
- Teachers rotate supervising duties each month.
- They rotate the meeting chairperson role.
- Farmers often rotate crops to keep soil healthy.
Learner examples
- We rotate jobs every week.
- The teacher rotates students for cleaning duty.
- Players rotate during the match.
- We rotate who makes lunch each day.
Verb
technical
B2
action
3
Grow different crops in turns on land
To grow different plants on the same land each year to keep the soil good for farming.
Usage pattern:
to rotate [crop type] with [crop type]
Synonyms
alternate crops (Describes changing crop types, less formal term.)
Antonyms
monocrop (Growing the same crop repeatedly on the same land.)
Collocations
rotate crops
|rotate with legumes
|rotate fields
Themes
agriculture
|environment
|nature
|science
Examples
- Farmers rotate corn with soybeans to improve soil quality.
- They rotate wheat and barley every year.
- Crop rotation helps prevent pests from becoming a problem.
Learner examples
- Farmers rotate rice and beans.
- We rotate corn with wheat.
- They rotate crops every season.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rotate
IPA
GB/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt/
US/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ro - tate (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ro)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: rotate
- 3rd Person Singular: rotates
- Present Participle: rotating
- Past: rotated
Word family
Expressions
rotate in
1/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Enter role as part of rotation
To start being in a job or place because it is your turn.
Examples
- A new manager will rotate in next week.
- Fresh troops rotated in to relieve the unit.
rotate out
1/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Leave role as part of rotation
To stop being in a job or place because it is someone else's turn.
Examples
- He will rotate out of his current role next month.
- Soldiers rotate out after six months of deployment.
rotate through
1/ɹˈoʊtˌeɪt θɹˈu/
phrasal verb
Move through tasks in order
To do each thing in a list or group one after another, often taking turns.
Examples
- The interns will rotate through different departments.
- Students rotate through various learning stations during class.