diff --git a/mercurial/commands.py b/mercurial/commands.py
--- a/mercurial/commands.py
+++ b/mercurial/commands.py
@@ -4086,7 +4086,7 @@ def resolve(ui, repo, *pats, **opts):
     ] + walkopts + dryrunopts,
     _('[OPTION]... [-r REV] [NAME]...'))
 def revert(ui, repo, *pats, **opts):
-    """restore individual files or directories to an earlier state
+    """restore files to their checkout state
 
     .. note::
        This command is most likely not what you are looking for.
diff --git a/tests/test-globalopts.t b/tests/test-globalopts.t
--- a/tests/test-globalopts.t
+++ b/tests/test-globalopts.t
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ Testing -h/--help:
    remove       remove the specified files on the next commit
    rename       rename files; equivalent of copy + remove
    resolve      redo merges or set/view the merge status of files
-   revert       restore individual files or directories to an earlier state
+   revert       restore files to their checkout state
    rollback     roll back the last transaction (dangerous)
    root         print the root (top) of the current working directory
    serve        start stand-alone webserver
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ Testing -h/--help:
    remove       remove the specified files on the next commit
    rename       rename files; equivalent of copy + remove
    resolve      redo merges or set/view the merge status of files
-   revert       restore individual files or directories to an earlier state
+   revert       restore files to their checkout state
    rollback     roll back the last transaction (dangerous)
    root         print the root (top) of the current working directory
    serve        start stand-alone webserver
diff --git a/tests/test-help.t b/tests/test-help.t
--- a/tests/test-help.t
+++ b/tests/test-help.t
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ Short help:
    remove       remove the specified files on the next commit
    rename       rename files; equivalent of copy + remove
    resolve      redo merges or set/view the merge status of files
-   revert       restore individual files or directories to an earlier state
+   revert       restore files to their checkout state
    rollback     roll back the last transaction (dangerous)
    root         print the root (top) of the current working directory
    serve        start stand-alone webserver
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ Short help:
    remove       remove the specified files on the next commit
    rename       rename files; equivalent of copy + remove
    resolve      redo merges or set/view the merge status of files
-   revert       restore individual files or directories to an earlier state
+   revert       restore files to their checkout state
    rollback     roll back the last transaction (dangerous)
    root         print the root (top) of the current working directory
    serve        start stand-alone webserver
@@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ Test that default list of commands omits
    remove       remove the specified files on the next commit
    rename       rename files; equivalent of copy + remove
    resolve      redo merges or set/view the merge status of files
-   revert       restore individual files or directories to an earlier state
+   revert       restore files to their checkout state
    rollback     roll back the last transaction (dangerous)
    root         print the root (top) of the current working directory
    serve        start stand-alone webserver