Turn

/tɜːn/ noun, verb, slang

noun, verb, slang ·Top 500 ·Elementary level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A change of direction or orientation.
  • Grammar: turn is listed as noun, verb, slang.
  • Nearest alternatives: twist, 360° turn, a thing for, aberrancy.
  • Useful contrasts: go straight, missed chance, no opportunity.
  • Usage evidence: Mathematicians are like French people: whatever you tell them they translate it into their own language and turn it into something totally different.

How to use "turn"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "turn" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "turn" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "turn" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "turn" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "turn" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "twist" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "turn", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A change of direction or orientation.

    "Give the handle a turn, then pull it."

  2. 2
    taking a short walk out and back wordnet
  3. 3
    A movement of an object about its own axis in one direction that continues until the object returns to its initial orientation.
  4. 4
    turning or twisting around (in place) wordnet
  5. 5
    A movement of an object about its own axis in one direction that continues until the object returns to its initial orientation.; A unit of plane angle measurement based on this movement.
Show 29 more definitions
  1. 6
    the act of turning away or in the opposite direction wordnet
  2. 7
    A walk to and fro.

    "Let's take a turn in the garden."

  3. 8
    the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course wordnet
  4. 9
    A chance to use (something) shared in sequence with others.

    "They took turns playing with the new toy."

  5. 10
    (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession wordnet
  6. 11
    A spell of work, especially the time allotted to a person in a rota or schedule.

    "I cooked tonight, so it's your turn to do the dishes."

  7. 12
    a favor for someone wordnet
  8. 13
    One's chance to make a move in a game having two or more players.
  9. 14
    a short performance that is part of a longer program wordnet
  10. 15
    A figure in music, often denoted ~, consisting of the note above the one indicated, the note itself, the note below the one indicated, and the note itself again.
  11. 16
    a movement in a new direction wordnet
  12. 17
    The time required to complete a project.

    "They quote a three-day turn on parts like those."

  13. 18
    an unforeseen development wordnet
  14. 19
    A fit or a period of giddiness.

    "I've had a funny turn."

  15. 20
    a circular segment of a curve wordnet
  16. 21
    A change in temperament or circumstance.

    "She took a turn for the worse."

  17. 22
    (sports) a division of a game during which one team is on the offensive wordnet
  18. 23
    A sideways movement of the ball when it bounces (caused by rotation in flight).
  19. 24
    a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else) wordnet
  20. 25
    The fourth communal card in Texas hold 'em.
  21. 26
    The flop (the first three community cards) in Texas hold 'em. obsolete
  22. 27
    A deed done to another; an act of kindness or malice.

    "One good turn deserves another."

  23. 28
    A single loop of a coil.
  24. 29
    A pass behind or through an object.
  25. 30
    Character; personality; nature.

    "It was fortunate for his comfort, perhaps, that the man who had been chosen to accompany him was of a talkative turn, for the prisoners insisted upon hearing the story of the explosion a dozen times over, and Rufus Dawes himself had been roused to give the name of the vessel with his own lips."

  26. 31
    An instance of going past an opposition player with the ball in one's control.
  27. 32
    A short skit, act, or routine. especially, physical

    "Between the pieces were individual turns, comic songs and dances."

  28. 33
    A type turned upside down to serve for another character that is not available. dated
  29. 34
    The profit made by a stockjobber, being the difference between the buying and selling prices. UK, historical

    "There are usually at least two jobbers who specialise in the leading stocks, and this acts to keep the jobber's turn to a reasonable amount […]"

Verb
  1. 1
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To move about an axis through itself. intransitive, person

    "the Earth turns"

  2. 2
    twist suddenly so as to sprain wordnet
  3. 3
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation. transitive

    "Turn the knob clockwise."

  4. 4
    pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become wordnet
  5. 5
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To change one's direction of travel. intransitive

    "She turned right at the corner."

Show 55 more definitions
  1. 6
    change to the contrary wordnet
  2. 7
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To shape (something) symmetrically by rotating it against a stationary cutting tool, as on a lathe. transitive

    "She turned the table legs with care and precision."

  3. 8
    undergo a transformation or a change of position or action wordnet
  4. 9
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To give form to; to shape or mould; to adapt. broadly

    "[…]the Poets pen turnes them to ſhapes,[…]"

  5. 10
    become officially one year older wordnet
  6. 11
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To direct or impel (something) into a place. transitive

    "Add sugar and butter, then turn the mixture into a dish."

  7. 12
    change color wordnet
  8. 13
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To position (something) by folding it, or using its folds. transitive

    "turn the bed covers;  turn the pages"

  9. 14
    go sour or spoil wordnet
  10. 15
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To navigate through a book or other printed material. figuratively, transitive

    "turn to page twenty;  turn through the book"

  11. 16
    have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to wordnet
  12. 17
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; To twist or sprain. transitive

    "I fell off my bike and turned my ankle severely."

  13. 18
    direct at someone wordnet
  14. 19
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; Of a bowler, to make (the ball) move sideways off the pitch when it bounces. transitive
  15. 20
    alter the functioning or setting of wordnet
  16. 21
    To make a non-linear physical movement.; Of a ball, to move sideways off the pitch when it bounces. intransitive
  17. 22
    cause (an object) to assume a crooked or angular form wordnet
  18. 23
    To change condition or attitude.; To become (often used with colors, clear sudden changes, weather and ages). copulative, intransitive, transitive

    "Near-synonyms: become, get, go, come, fall, grow, wax"

  19. 24
    let (something) fall or spill from a container wordnet
  20. 25
    To change condition or attitude.; To change the color of the leaves in the autumn. intransitive, transitive

    "The hillside behind our house isn't generally much to look at, but once all the trees turn it's gorgeous."

  21. 26
    shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel wordnet
  22. 27
    To change condition or attitude.; To change fundamentally; to metamorphose. intransitive, transitive

    "Midas made everything turn to gold.  He turned into a monster every full moon."

  23. 28
    to break and turn over earth especially with a plow wordnet
  24. 29
    To change condition or attitude.; To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.; To sour or spoil; to go bad. intransitive, transitive

    "This milk has turned; it smells awful."

  25. 30
    to change orientation or direction wordnet
  26. 31
    To change condition or attitude.; To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.; To make acid or sour; to ferment; to curdle. intransitive, transitive

    "to turn cider or wine"

  27. 32
    pass to the other side of wordnet
  28. 33
    To change condition or attitude.; To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.; To change (a person) into a vampire, werewolf, zombie, etc. intransitive, transitive

    "How long ago was he turned?"

  29. 34
    channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something wordnet
  30. 35
    To change condition or attitude.; To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.; To transform into a vampire, werewolf, zombie, etc. intransitive, transitive

    "Bruce Banner turns when he is angry: he becomes the Hulk, an incredibly powerful green monster."

  31. 36
    to send or let go wordnet
  32. 37
    To change condition or attitude.; To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.; To change the sexual orientation or gender of another person, or otherwise awaken a sexual preference. intransitive, offensive, slang, sometimes, transitive

    "We may not be made gay or lesbian in the sense of being “turned” by some error in parenting or child rearing, but we are certainly biologically made and raised (most of us) by straights."

  33. 38
    cause to move around a center so as to show another side of wordnet
  34. 39
    To change condition or attitude.; To hinge; to depend. intransitive, transitive

    "The decision turns on a single fact."

  35. 40
    cause to move around or rotate wordnet
  36. 41
    To change condition or attitude.; To rebel; to go against something formerly tolerated. intransitive, transitive

    "The prisoners turned on the warden."

  37. 42
    cause to move along an axis or into a new direction wordnet
  38. 43
    To change condition or attitude.; To change personal condition.; To change personalities, such as from being a face (good guy) to heel (bad guy) or vice versa. intransitive, transitive
  39. 44
    move around an axis or a center wordnet
  40. 45
    To change condition or attitude.; To change personal condition.; To make or become giddy; said of the head or brain. ambitransitive, intransitive, transitive

    "Ile looke no more, / Leaſt my braine turne,[…]"

  41. 46
    get by buying and selling wordnet
  42. 47
    To change condition or attitude.; To change personal condition.; To sicken; to nauseate. intransitive, transitive

    "The sight turned my stomach."

  43. 48
    accomplish by rotating wordnet
  44. 49
    To change condition or attitude.; To change personal condition.; To be nauseated; said of the stomach. intransitive, transitive
  45. 50
    undergo a change or development wordnet
  46. 51
    To change one's course of action; to take a new approach. reflexive

    "And they made a calfe in thoſe dayes / and offered ſacrifice vnto the ymage / and reioyſed in the workes of theyr awne hondes. / Then God turned hym ſilfe / and gave them vp /[…]"

  47. 52
    cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics wordnet
  48. 53
    To complete. transitive, usually

    "They say they can turn the parts in two days."

  49. 54
    To make (money); turn a profit. transitive

    "We turned a pretty penny with that little scheme."

  50. 55
    Of a player, to go past an opposition player with the ball in one's control. transitive

    "Liverpool introduced Carroll for Spearing and were rewarded after 64 minutes when he put them back in contention. Stewart Downing blocked Jose Bosingwa's attempted clearance, which fell into the path of Carroll. He turned John Terry superbly before firing high past Cech."

  51. 56
    To undergo the process of turning on a lathe.

    "Ivory turns well."

  52. 57
    To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery.
  53. 58
    To invert a type of the same thickness, as a temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted. dated
  54. 59
    To translate. archaic

    "to turn the Iliad"

  55. 60
    To magically or divinely repel undead. transitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
twist360° turna thing foraberrancyaberrationabout face

Antonyms

go straightmissed chanceno opportunityschussing

Example

"Mathematicians are like French people: whatever you tell them they translate it into their own language and turn it into something totally different."

Common questions

What does "turn" mean?

A change of direction or orientation.

What is a synonym for "turn"?

Common synonyms include: twist, 360° turn, a thing for, aberrancy, aberration, about face.

How do you use "turn" in a sentence?

Mathematicians are like French people: whatever you tell them they translate it into their own language and turn it into something totally different.

How do you pronounce "turn"?

Pronounced /tɜːn/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English turnen, from Old English turnian, tyrnan (“to turn, rotate, revolve”), from Proto-West Germanic *turnēn (“to turn, lathe”) (also the source of German turnen and its derivatives) and Old French torner (“to turn”), both from Latin tornāre (“to round off, turn in a lathe”), from tornus (“lathe”), from Ancient Greek τόρνος (tórnos, “turning-lathe: a tool used for making circles”), from Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (“to rub, rub by turning, turn, twist, bore”). Cognate with Old English þrāwan (“to turn, twist, wind”), whence English throw. Displaced native Middle English wenden from Old English wendan (see wend), and Middle English trenden from Old English trendan (see trend), among several other terms.

Etymology 2

Partly from Anglo-Norman *torn, from Latin tornus, from Ancient Greek τόρνος (tórnos), and partly an action noun from the verb turn.

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