To gravitate means to be naturally drawn or pulled toward something, like how objects in space are pulled toward each other by gravity. When you gravitate toward certain friends at recess, you find yourself naturally moving in their direction without really thinking about it. When a student gravitates toward mystery novels in the library, those books just seem to call to them more than other genres.

Just as planets gravitate toward the sun, people gravitate toward things that interest them or feel comfortable. You might notice that shy students gravitate toward the back of the classroom, while eager participants gravitate toward the front.

Scientists use gravitate literally when describing how masses attract each other in space. The rest of us use it metaphorically to describe attractions of all kinds: how certain people gravitate toward leadership roles, how conversations at dinner might gravitate toward everyone's favorite topic, or how a crowd gravitates toward an exciting street performer. The word suggests something automatic and natural, like water flowing downhill. You don't force yourself to gravitate toward something; it just happens because of who you are or what appeals to you.