View synonyms for turn

turn

[ turn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

to cause to move around on an axis or about a center; rotate:
to turn a wheel.
to cause to move around or partly around, as for the purpose of opening, closing, or tightening:
to turn a key;
to turn the cap of a bottle.
to reverse the position or placement of:
to turn a page;
to turn an egg;
to turn a person around.
to bring the lower layers of (sod, soil, etc.) to the surface, as in plowing.
to change the position of, by or as if by rotating; move into a different position:
to turn the handle one notch.
to change or alter the course of; divert; deflect:
He turned the blow with his arm.
to change the focus or tendency of:
She skillfully turned the conversation away from so unpleasant a subject.
to reverse the progress of; cause to retreat:
The police turned the advancing rioters by firing over their heads.
to change or alter the nature, character, or appearance of:
Worry turned his hair gray.
Synonyms: transform, transmute, metamorphose
to change or convert (usually followed by into or to ):
to turn water into ice;
to turn tears into laughter.
to render or make by some change:
Fear turned him cowardly and craven.
to change the color of (leaves).
to cause to become sour, to ferment, or the like:
Warm weather turns milk.
to cause (the stomach) to reject food, liquid, etc.; affect with nausea.
to change from one language or form of expression to another; translate.
to put or apply to some use or purpose:
He turned his mind to practical matters.
to go or pass around or to the other side of:
to turn a street corner.
to get beyond or pass (a certain age, time, amount, etc.):
His son just turned four.
to direct, aim, or set toward, away from, or in a specified direction:
to turn the car toward the center of town;
to turn one's back to the audience.
to direct (the eyes, face, etc.) another way; avert.
to shape (a piece of metal, wood, etc.) into rounded form with a cutting tool while rotating the piece on a lathe.
to bring into a rounded or curved form in any way.
to shape artistically or gracefully, especially in rounded form.
Synonyms: mold, fashion
to form or express gracefully:
to turn a phrase well.
to direct (thought, attention, desire, etc.) toward or away from something.
to cause to go; send; drive:
to turn a person from one's door.
to revolve in the mind; ponder (often followed by over ):
He turned the idea over a couple of times before acting on it.
to persuade (a person) to change or reorder the course of their life.
to cause to be prejudiced against:
to turn a son against his father.
to maintain a steady flow or circulation of (money or articles of commerce).
to earn or gain:
He turned a huge profit on the sale.
to reverse or remake (a garment, shirt collar, etc.) so that the inner side becomes the outer.
to pour from one container into another by inverting.
to curve, bend, or twist.
to twist out of position or sprain; wrench:
He turned his ankle.
to bend back or blunt (the edge of a blade).
to perform (a gymnastic feat) by rotating or revolving:
to turn a somersault.
to disorder or upset the placement or condition of:
He turned the room upside down.
to disturb the balance of (the mind); drive to distraction; make crazy or insane:
In the same year his three sons and his mother died, and grief turned his mind.
Obsolete.
1. to convert.
2. to pervert.

verb (used without object)

to move around on an axis or about a center; rotate.
to move partly around through the arc of a circle, as a door on a hinge.
to hinge or depend (usually followed by on or upon ):
The question turns on this point.
to direct or set one's course toward, away from, or in a particular direction.
to direct the face or gaze toward or away from someone or something.
to direct one's thought, attention, desire, etc., toward or away from someone or something.
to give or apply one's interest, attention, effort, etc., to something; devote oneself:
He turned to the study and practice of medicine.
to change or reverse a course so as to go in a different or the opposite direction:
to turn to the right.
to change position so as to face in a different or the opposite direction.
to change or reverse position or posture as by a rotary motion.
to shift the body about as if on an axis:
to turn on one's side while sleeping.
to assume a curved form; bend.
to become blunted or dulled by bending, as the cutting edge of a knife or saw.
to be affected with nausea, as the stomach.
to be affected with giddiness or dizziness; have a sensation of whirling or reeling.
to adopt religion, a manner of life, etc., especially as differing from a previous position or attitude:
He turned to Christianity in his old age.
to change or transfer one's loyalties; defect:
He turned from the Democrats and joined the Republicans.
to change an attitude or policy: to turn against a person.
to turn in favor of someone;
to turn against a person.
to change or alter, as in nature, character, or appearance.
to become sour, rancid, fermented, or the like, as milk or butter.
to change color:
The leaves began to turn in October.
to change so as to be; become:
a lawyer turned poet;
to turn pale.
to become mentally unbalanced or distracted.
to put about or tack, as a ship.
Journalism. (of copy) to run either from the bottom of the last column on one page to the top of the first column on the following page or from one column on a page to the expected place in the next column on the page ( jump def 20 ).

noun

a movement of partial or total rotation:
a slight turn of the handle.
Synonyms: gyration, spin, revolution
an act of changing or reversing position or posture, as by a rotary movement:
a turn of the head.
a time or opportunity for action which comes in due rotation or order to each of a number of persons, animals, etc.:
It's my turn to pay the bill.
an act of changing or reversing the course or direction:
to make a turn to the left.
a place or point at which such a change occurs.
a place where a road, river, or the like turns; bend:
About a mile ahead, you'll come to a turn in the road.
a single revolution, as of a wheel.
an act of turning so as to face or go in a different direction.
direction, drift, or trend:
The conversation took an interesting turn.
any change, as in nature, character, condition, affairs, circumstances, etc.; alteration; modification:
a turn for the better.
Synonyms: variation, vicissitude, deviation, twist
the point or time of change.
the time during which a worker or a set of workers is at work in alternation with others.
that which is done by each of a number of persons acting in rotation or succession.
rounded or curved form.
the shape or mold in which something is formed or cast.
a passing or twisting of one thing around another, as of a rope around a mast.
the state of or a manner of being twisted.
a single circular or convoluted shape, as of a coiled or wound rope.
a small latch operated by a turning knob or lever.
style, as of expression or language.
a distinctive form or style imparted:
a happy turn of expression.
a short walk, ride, or the like out and back, especially by different routes:
Let's go for a turn in the park.
a natural inclination, bent, tendency, or aptitude:
one's turn of mind.
Synonyms: proclivity, talent
a spell or period of work; shift.
a spell or bout of action or activity, especially in wrestling.
an attack of illness or the like.
an act of service or disservice: She repaid it with a bad turn.
He once did her a good turn.
She repaid it with a bad turn.
requirement, exigency, or need:
This will serve your turn.
treatment or rendering, especially with reference to the form or content of a work of literature, art, etc.; twist:
He gave the story a new turn.
Informal. a nervous shock, as from fright or astonishment:
It certainly gave me quite a turn to see him.
Stock Exchange. a complete securities transaction that includes both a purchase and sale.
Music. a melodic embellishment or grace, commonly consisting of a principal tone with two auxiliary tones, one above and the other below it.
Chiefly British. an individual stage performance, especially in a vaudeville theater or music hall.
Military. a drill movement by which a formation changes fronts.
a contest or round; a bout, as in wrestling.

verb phrase

1. to drive a vehicle or to walk into (a street, store, etc.): He turned into the saloon at the corner.
  We turned into the dead-end street.
  He turned into the saloon at the corner.
2. to be changed, transformed, or converted into: The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
  He has turned into a very pleasant fellow.
  The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
1. to retrace one's footsteps; turn around to return.
2. to cause to go no further or to return, as by not welcoming; send away.
3. to fold (a blanket, sheet of paper, etc.) on itself:
  Turn back the page to keep the place.
1. to fold (material, a hem, cuffs, etc.) up or over in order to alter a garment.
2. to bring to the surface by digging:
  to turn up a shovelful of earth.
3. to uncover; find.
4. to intensify or increase.
5. to happen; occur:
  Let's wait and see what turns up.
6. to appear; arrive:
  She turned up at the last moment.
7. to be recovered:
  I'm sure your watch will turn up eventually.
8. to come to notice; be seen.
1. to extinguish (a light).
2. to produce as the result of labor:
  She turned out four tapestries a year.
3. to drive out; dismiss; discharge:
  a premier turned out of office.
4. to fit out; dress; equip.
5. to unfold or develop toward a conclusion.
6. to come to be; become ultimately.
7. to be found or known; prove.
8. to be present at; appear.
9. Informal. to get out of bed.
10. Nautical. to order (a seaman or seamen) from quarters for duty.
11. to cause to turn outward, as the toes.
1. to apply to for aid; appeal to:
  When he was starting out as an artist he turned to his friends for loans.
2. to begin to attend to or work at something:
  After the storm we turned to and cleaned up the debris.
3. to change to:
  The ice turned to water.
1. to cause (water, gas, etc.) to flow, as by opening a valve.
2. to switch on (a light).
3. to put (a machine, device, etc.) into operation; activate:
  Roll down the windows and turn on the radio.
4. to start suddenly to affect or show:
  She turned on the charm and won him over.
5. Slang. to induce (a person) to start taking a narcotic drug.
6. Slang. to take a narcotic drug.
7. Slang. to arouse or excite the interest of; engage:
  the first lecture that really turned me on.
8. Slang. to arouse sexually.
9. Also turn upon. to become suddenly hostile to:
  The dog turned on its owner.
1. to move or be moved from one side to another.
2. to put in reverse position; invert.
3. to consider; meditate; ponder.
4. to transfer; give.
5. to start (an engine):
  He turned over the car motor.
6. (of an engine) to start:
  The motor turned over without any trouble.
7. Commerce. to purchase and then sell (goods or commodities).
8. Commerce. to do business or sell goods to the amount of (a specified sum).
9. Commerce. to invest or recover (capital) in some transaction or in the course of business.
1. to hand in; submit:
  to turn in a resignation.
2. to inform on or deliver up:
  She promptly turned him in to the police.
3. to turn from one path or course into another; veer.
4. Informal. to go to bed; retire:
  I never turn in before eleven o'clock.
1. to reverse position in order to flee or retreat:
  Those cowards turned heel and ran away!
2. Professional Wrestling. to adopt a villainous heel role:
  It’s not unusual for a wrestler’s popularity to soar when he turns heel.
1. to stop the flow of (water, gas, etc.), as by closing a faucet or valve.
2. to switch off (a light).
3. to stop the operation of (a machine, device, etc.):
  Don’t forget to turn off the oven.
  Turn off your phones during the exam.
4. to divert; deflect.
5. to diverge or branch off, as a side road from a main road.
6. to drive a vehicle or walk onto (a side road) from a main road:
  You turn off at 96th Street.
  Turn off the highway on the dirt road.
7. Slang. to stop listening:
  You could see him turn off as the speaker droned on.
8. Slang. to disaffect, alienate, or disgust.
9. Chiefly British. to discharge an employee.
1. to turn over; fold down.
2. to lower in intensity; lessen.
3. to refuse or reject (a person, request, etc.):
  The Marine Corps turned him down.

turn

/ tɜːn /

verb

to move or cause to move around an axis
to turn a knob
a wheel turning
sometimes foll by round to change or cause to change positions by moving through an arc of a circle
he turned the chair to face the light
to change or cause to change in course, direction, etc
he turned left at the main road
(of soldiers, ships, etc) to alter the direction of advance by changing direction simultaneously or (of a commander) to cause the direction of advance to be altered simultaneously
to go or pass to the other side of (a corner, etc)
to assume or cause to assume a rounded, curved, or folded form
the road turns here
to reverse or cause to reverse position
tr to pass round (an enemy or enemy position) so as to attack it from the flank or rear
the Germans turned the Maginot line
tr to perform or do by a rotating movement
to turn a somersault
tr to shape or cut a thread in (a workpiece, esp one of metal, wood, or plastic) by rotating it on a lathe against a fixed cutting tool
whenintr, foll by into or to to change or convert or be changed or converted
the alchemists tried to turn base metals into gold
foll by into to change or cause to change in nature, character, etc
the frog turned into a prince
copula to change so as to become
he turned nasty when he heard the price
to cause (foliage, etc) to change colour or (of foliage, etc) to change colour
frost turned the trees a vivid orange
to cause (milk, etc) to become rancid or sour or (of milk, etc) to become rancid or sour
to change or cause to change in subject, trend, etc
the conversation turned to fishing
to direct or apply or be directed or applied
he turned his attention to the problem
intrusually foll byto to appeal or apply (to) for help, advice, etc
she was very frightened and didn't know where to turn
to reach, pass, or progress beyond in age, time, etc
she has just turned twenty
tr to cause or allow to go
to turn an animal loose
to affect or be affected with nausea
the sight of the dead body turned his stomach
to affect or be affected with giddiness
my head is turning
tr to affect the mental or emotional stability of (esp in the phrase turn ( someone's ) head )
tr to release from a container
she turned the fruit into a basin
tr to render into another language
usually foll byagainst or from to transfer or reverse or cause to transfer or reverse (one's loyalties, affections, etc)
tr to cause (an enemy agent) to become a double agent working for one's own side
the bureau turned some of the spies it had caught
tr to bring (soil) from lower layers to the surface
to blunt (an edge) or (of an edge) to become blunted
tr to give a graceful form to
to turn a compliment
tr to reverse (a cuff, collar, etc) in order to hide the outer worn side
intr to be merchandised as specified
shirts are turning well this week
cricket to spin (the ball) or (of the ball) to spin
turn one's hand to
to undertake (something, esp something practical)
turn tail
to run away; flee
turn the tables on someone
See table
turn the tide
to reverse the general course of events

noun

an act or instance of turning or the state of being turned or the material turned
a turn of a rope around a bollard
a movement of complete or partial rotation
a change or reversal of direction or position
direction or drift
his thoughts took a new turn
a deviation or departure from a course or tendency
the place, point, or time at which a deviation or change occurs
another word for turning
the right or opportunity to do something in an agreed order or succession
now it's George's turn
you must not play out of turn
we'll take turns to play
a change in nature, condition, etc
his illness took a turn for the worse
a period of action, work, etc
a short walk, ride, or excursion
to take a turn in the park
natural inclination
he is of a speculative turn of mind
she has a turn for needlework
distinctive form or style
a neat turn of phrase
requirement, need, or advantage
to serve someone's turn
a deed performed that helps or hinders someone
to do an old lady a good turn
a twist, bend, or distortion in shape
music a melodic ornament that makes a turn around a note, beginning with the note above, in a variety of sequences
theatre a short theatrical act, esp in music hall, cabaret, etc
stock exchange
1. the difference between a market maker's bid and offer prices, representing the market maker's profit
2. a transaction including both a purchase and a sale
a military manoeuvre in which men or ships alter their direction of advance together
slang.
a party
informal.
a shock or surprise
the bad news gave her quite a turn
at every turn
on all sides or occasions
by turns
one after another; alternately
on the turn informal.
1. at the point of change
2. about to go rancid
out of turn
1. not in the correct or agreed order of succession
2. improperly, inappropriately, or inopportunely
the turn slang.
poker the fourth community card to be dealt face-up in a round of Texas hold ’em
turn and turn about
one after another; alternately
to a turn
to the proper amount; perfectly
cooked to a turn

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Derived Forms

ˈturnable, adjective

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Other Words From

turn·a·ble adjective
half-turned adjective
un·turn·a·ble adjective
un·turned adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of turn¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English verb turnen, partly continuing Old English turnian, tyrnan, from Latin tornāre “to turn in a lathe, round off” (derivative of tornus “lathe,” from Greek tórnos “tool for making circles”), partly from Old French torner, t(o)urner, from Latin, as above; Middle English noun partly derivative of the verb, partly from unattested Anglo-French torn, t(o)urn; Old French tor, t(o)ur, from Latin tornus, as above

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Word History and Origins

Origin of turn¹

Old English tyrnian , from Old French torner , from Latin tornāre to turn in a lathe, from tornus lathe, from Greek tornos dividers

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

at every turn, in every case or instance; constantly:
We met with kindness at every turn.
by turns, one after another; in rotation or succession; alternately:
They did their shopping and cleaning by turns.
hand's turn, a period or piece of work:
It won't be necessary for you to do a hand's turn yourself, but rather to supervise.
in turn, in due order of succession:
Each generation in turn must grapple with the same basic problems.
on the turn, on the verge or in the process of turning; changing:
She said she hoped to be alive to see the century on the turn.
out of turn,
1. not in the correct succession; out of proper order.
2. at an unsuitable time; imprudently; indiscreetly:
  He spoke out of turn and destroyed the cordial atmosphere of the meeting.
take turns, to succeed one another in order; rotate; alternate:
They took turns walking the dog.
to a turn, to just the proper degree; to perfection:
The steak was done to a turn.
turn and turn about, by turns:
They fought the fire, turn and turn about, until daybreak.
turn one's hand to. hand ( def ).
turn the tables. table ( def 24 ).
turn the tide. tide ¹( def 16 ).

More idioms and phrases containing turn

at every turn
by turns
every time one turns around
good turn
in turn
not know where to turn
one good turn deserves another
out of turn
take a turn for the better
take turns
to a T (turn)
twist (turn) around one's finger
when someone's back is turned
unturned

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Synonym Study

Turn, revolve, rotate, spin indicate moving in a more or less rotary, circular fashion. Turn is the general and popular word for motion on an axis or around a center, but it is used also of motion that is less than a complete circle: A gate turns on its hinges. Revolve refers especially to movement in an orbit around a center, but is sometimes exchangeable with rotate, which refers only to the motion of a body around its own center or axis: The moon revolves about the earth. The earth rotates on its axis. To spin is to rotate very rapidly: A top spins. Turn, cast, twist are colloquial in use and imply a bent, inclination, or habit. Turn means a tendency or inclination for something: a turn for art. Cast means an established habit of thought, manner, or style: a melancholy cast. Twist means a bias: a strange twist of thought.

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Example Sentences

Researchers often look to photosynthesis -- a process that turns sunlight into chemical energy in plants and bacteria -- as a model for innovation.

From Science Daily

In a story last year about turning 40, Riley told the Los Angeles Times that he has never been fixated on burnishing his personal legacy.

From Los Angeles Times

Philip had to shut down a fiery panel discussion earlier this month when a different Trump-backing pundit turned to transphobia to explain why Democrats lost the White House, prompting a reaction from commentator Jay Michaelson.

From Salon

Similarly, after the Greek government began checking on people receiving pensions, about 70% of all alleged centenarians in the country turned out to be dead.

From Science Magazine

The ruthless military officer with the monocle and the swagger stick who sends his men to senseless death and/or turns traitor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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More About Turn

What is a basic definition of turn?

Turn is a verb that means to rotate. Turn can also mean to change or transform. A turn is a chance to act as part of a rotation or round. The word turn has many other senses as a verb and a noun. Turn is also used in a large number of idioms.

Turn means to cause something to rotate or face a different direction. If you turn a steering wheel, for example, you are making it rotate clockwise (to the right) or counterclockwise (to the left). Turn also means to change direction or rotate. If you are walking north up a street and turn south, for example, you start walking south instead of north.

Real-life examples: You turn a bottle of ketchup upside down to get ketchup to come out. You might turn a dial to start a washing machine. If you’re walking west, you need to turn in the opposite direction to walk east.
Used in a sentence: I turned the sunflower so that it was facing the sun.

Turn can also mean to change or transform. Often, this sense of turn is followed by into or to if something is described as changing from one thing into another.

Real-life examples: As they age, children turn into adults. Fire can cause wood to turn to ash. You probably shouldn’t eat meat that has turned rotten.
Used in a sentence: I left after the friendly cat turned mean.

A turn is an opportunity to act. Specifically, a turn is a person’s or thing’s reserved time when they get to do something as part of a lineup or round. For example, if children take turns petting a dog, each child waits while the children before them in line pet the dog. Then, they will pet the dog for a bit. When their turn is over, the next child in line will pet the dog. Many games divide up players’ actions into turns as part of the rules.

Real-life examples: In chess, players take turns moving pieces. A parent may make their children take turns using a swing. It might be your turn to take out the garbage this week.
Used in a sentence: I’ll make sure every kid has a turn to ride the pony.

Where does turn come from?

The first records of turn come from before the year 1000. It ultimately comes from the Latin tornāre, meaning “to turn in a lathe” or “to round off.” A lathe is a machine that holds a piece of wood or other material and rotates it around a tool that shapes it. The Latin tornāre comes from the Greek tórnos, meaning a “tool for making circles.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to turn?

turnable (adjective)
half-turned (adjective)
unturnable (adjective)
unturned (adjective)

What are some synonyms for turn?

What are some words that share a root or word element with turn?

What are some words that often get used in discussing turn?

How is turn used in real life?

Turn is a very common word that means to change direction, to transform, or refers to a person’s chance to act.

A strange quirk about me… when I lock a door I always have to turn the handle to make sure it's in fact locked. What are your quirks?

— B101FM (@B101FMBARRIE) April 22, 2013

I told my kid what we’re having for dinner, and she replied, “Man, I just can’t win today.” She turned into a 47-year-old guy with a mortgage and lower back pain right before my eyes.

— Carmely Sandiego (@orangecrushable) February 8, 2021

Even the most protective masks don't eliminate risk of Covid infection. In addition to masking up, we still have to keep our distance, wash our hands, and get vaccinated when it's our turn.

— Dr. Tom Frieden (@DrTomFrieden) February 5, 2021

Try using turn!

True or False?

If someone turns a newspaper into a hat, they make a newspaper change into a hat.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

turmoil turn a blind eye to

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turn

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

verb phrase

verb

noun

Derived Forms

Other Words From

Word History and Origins

Word History and Origins

Idioms and Phrases

More idioms and phrases containing turn

Synonym Study

Example Sentences

Related Words

More About Turn

​What is a basic definition of turn?

Where does turn come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is turn used in real life?

Try using turn!

What is a basic definition of turn?