revolutionize
C1Formal to neutral; common in academic, business, and journalistic contexts.
Definition
Meaning
to completely change the way something is done, thought about, or made so that it is much better; to cause a revolution in
Beyond political contexts, it means to transform a system, industry, or process fundamentally and dramatically, often through innovation or new technology.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a sudden, radical, and complete change, not a gradual evolution. Often carries positive connotations of progress and improvement, though can be used hyperbolically in marketing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling is the primary difference: 'revolutionise' is the standard UK spelling, while 'revolutionize' is standard US. Both are pronounced the same. Usage frequency and context are identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Associated with technological advancement, business innovation, and social change.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US English due to cultural emphasis on innovation and disruption, but widely used in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] revolutionized [NP][NP] is revolutionizing [NP]The invention of [NP] revolutionized [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “change the game”
- “turn on its head”
- “break the mould”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe disruptive innovations that create new markets (e.g., 'The app revolutionized food delivery.')
Academic
Describes paradigm shifts in thought or methodology (e.g., 'Darwin's work revolutionized biology.')
Everyday
Often used hyperbolically for significant improvements (e.g., 'This new vacuum cleaner has revolutionized my cleaning routine.')
Technical
Applied to foundational technological advances (e.g., 'Solid-state drives revolutionized data storage.')
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The researchers hope to revolutionise cancer treatment with their new technique.
- Streaming services have revolutionised how we consume media.
American English
- The startup aims to revolutionize urban transportation.
- Personal computers revolutionized the workplace in the 1980s.
adverb
British English
- The industry changed revolutionarily. (very formal/rare)
- The system was revolutionised overnight. (verb in passive)
American English
- Society was revolutionarily transformed. (rare)
- They worked to change things revolutionarily. (awkward; 'radically' is preferred)
adjective
British English
- The revolutionary design changed the industry. (Note: 'revolutionary' is the related adjective)
- They presented a potentially revolutionising concept.
American English
- It was a revolutionary idea. (adjective form)
- He is a revolutionize thinker. (informal/rare)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The washing machine revolutionized life at home.
- The internet has revolutionized communication across the world.
- Biotechnology is poised to revolutionize agriculture and medicine in the coming decades.
- Critics argue that while the platform revolutionized social interaction, it also engendered significant societal challenges that were not foreseen.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a REVOLVER spinning (a revolution) and changing everything in its path. REVOLUTION + IZE = to make into a revolution.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS A FORWARD MOVEMENT (a revolution turns things forward), CHANGE IS A PHYSICAL OVERTHROW.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'революционизировать' – it's a heavy calque. Prefer 'совершить переворот в (чём-либо)', 'коренным образом изменить'. The Russian verb is extremely rare and stylistically marked.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for minor changes (overstatement). Confusing with 'evolve' (gradual vs. sudden). Misspelling as 'revolutionalize'. Using intransitively (e.g., 'The industry revolutionized' is incorrect without an object).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'revolutionize' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, it implies progress and improvement. However, it can be used neutrally or negatively in analytical contexts (e.g., 'The weapon revolutionized warfare, making it more deadly.')
'Innovate' means to introduce something new (a method, idea, product). 'Revolutionize' is stronger; it means that the innovation has caused a complete and dramatic transformation of an entire field or system.
Yes. It often refers to the point of fundamental change. 'The iPhone revolutionized mobile phones' is correct even though evolution continues. It marks the beginning of the revolution.
No, it's not standard. The passive form is 'be revolutionized' (e.g., 'The industry was revolutionized'). 'Get' passives are informal and typically not used with this formal verb.