Back to Dictionary
Get Free Checker

turn

View Synonyms
[ UK /tˈɜːn/ ]
[ US /ˈtɝn/ ]
VERB
  1. shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel
    turn the clay on the wheel
    turn the legs of the table
  2. pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
    She grew angry
    The weather turned nasty
  3. direct at someone
    She turned a smile on me
    They turned their flashlights on the car
  4. undergo a transformation or a change of position or action
    We turned from Socialism to Capitalism
    The people turned against the President when he stole the election
  5. change color
    In Vermont, the leaves turn early
  6. pass to the other side of
    move around the obstacle
    turn the corner
  7. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow
    Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
    turn the earth in the Spring
  8. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
    She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs
    Turn towards me
    The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face
  9. cause to move around or rotate
    turn your palm this way
    turn a key
  10. become officially one year older
    She is turning 50 this year
  11. to send or let go
    They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
  12. alter the functioning or setting of
    turn the dial to 10
    turn the heat down
  13. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
    bend the rod
    twist the dough into a braid
    the strong man could turn an iron bar
  14. cause to move along an axis or into a new direction
    turn your face to the wall
    turn your dance partner around
    turn the car around
  15. get by buying and selling
    the company turned a good profit after a year
  16. cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics
    The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him
    The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold
  17. twist suddenly so as to sprain
    the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell
    wrench one's ankle
    The wrestler twisted his shoulder
    I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days
  18. change to the contrary
    the tides turned against him
    The trend was reversed
    public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
  19. accomplish by rotating
    turn cartwheels
    turn a somersault
  20. cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
    turn a page of a book
  21. channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something
    people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium
    The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction
  22. have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to
    She turned to her relatives for help
    She called on her Representative to help her
  23. undergo a change or development
    He turned traitor
    Her former friend became her worst enemy
    The water turned into ice
  24. move around an axis or a center
    The wheels are turning
  25. go sour or spoil
    The wine worked
    The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
    The milk has soured
  26. let (something) fall or spill from a container
    turn the flour onto a plate
NOUN
  1. a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
    it's my go
    a spell of work
  2. an unforeseen development
    events suddenly took an awkward turn
  3. a circular segment of a curve
    a crook in the path
    a bend in the road
  4. a short performance that is part of a longer program
    she had a catchy little routine
    it was one of the best numbers he ever did
    he did his act three times every evening
  5. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
    it is my turn
    it is still my play
  6. a movement in a new direction
    the turning of the wind
  7. taking a short walk out and back
    we took a turn in the park
  8. the act of turning away or in the opposite direction
    he made an abrupt turn away from her
  9. turning or twisting around (in place)
    with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room
  10. (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
  11. a favor for someone
    he did me a good turn
  12. the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
    he took a turn to the right
Top Definitions Examples
Enhance Your English Writing Skills
Fix common errors and boost your confidence in every sentence.
Get started
for free
Linguix pencil

How To Use turn In A Sentence

  • At the iron railings turn left into the war memorial gardens. Times, Sunday Times
  • He pulled himself up and stumbled to the bathroom, where he turned on the cold tap and collapsed at the bottom of the shower, barely awake.
  • Shah went forth with her for a distance of three parasangs; after which he bade farewell to her and the Wazir and those with him, and returned to his home in gladness and safety. The Book of The Thousand Nights And A Night
  • Unless the radar signal is normal to some surface (extremely low probability) the radar receives no return.
  • She is simply bartering goodies in return for comparative quietness.
  • I turned up at the school yard with my hippie backpack slung over one shoulder feeling pretty cool. Times, Sunday Times
  • Smith was returned as MP for Bath.
  • Turn out the lot and the wellrotted stuff at the base can be put on unplanted soil. The Sun
  • A spokesman said: ‘Snow will continue through the day with a few dry interludes and it will slowly improve by the afternoon with snow turning more showery.’
  • A few uncounted votes or a few thousand voters turned away can be the difference between a national victory or not.
View all