Turner

/ˈtɝ.nɚ/ name, noun

name, noun ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: One who or that which turns.
  • Grammar: turner is listed as name, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: builder, craftsman, flippers, food turner.
  • Useful contrasts: nonturner.
  • Usage evidence: Mr Turner bade farewell to his colleagues.

How to use "turner"

  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 "turner" 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 "turner" 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 "turner" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "turner" 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 "turner" is acting as name, noun 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 "builder" 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 "turner", 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
    One who or that which turns.

    "Everyone kept turning around and craning their necks to look at the gaps, and Miss Griffin gave all the turners and craners paralyzing stares whenever she caught their eye."

  2. 2
    An acrobat or gymnast, especially (historical) a member of the German Turnvereine, German-American gymnastic clubs that also served as nationalist political groups.
  3. 3
    An old Scottish copper coin worth two pence, issued by King James VI. historical
  4. 4
    A person who has Turner syndrome.

    "[…] and that the chromatin-negative Turners are XO with 45 chromosomes."

  5. 5
    cooking utensil having a flat flexible part and a long handle; used for turning or serving food wordnet
Show 8 more definitions
  1. 6
    A person who turns and shapes wood etc. on a lathe.
  2. 7
    Alternative form of turner (“member of German-American nationalist gymnastic clubs”). alt-of, alternative
  3. 8
    one of two persons who swing ropes for jumpers to skip over in the game of jump rope wordnet
  4. 9
    A kitchen utensil used for turning food.
  5. 10
    a lathe operator wordnet
  6. 11
    A variety of pigeon; a tumbler.
  7. 12
    a tumbler who is a member of a turnverein wordnet
  8. 13
    A very dry pitch on which the ball will turn with ease.
Proper Noun
  1. 1
    An English and Scottish surname originating as an occupation. countable, uncountable
  2. 2
    A male given name. countable, uncountable
  3. 3
    A placename.; A suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. countable, uncountable
  4. 4
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Mississippi County, Arkansas. countable, uncountable
  5. 5
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Phillips County, Arkansas. countable, uncountable
Show 12 more definitions
  1. 6
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; Former name of Tuttle, California. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Clay County, Indiana. countable, uncountable
  3. 8
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; A neighbourhood of Kansas City, Kansas. countable, uncountable
  4. 9
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; A town and census-designated place therein, in Androscoggin County, Maine. countable, uncountable
  5. 10
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; A township and village therein, in Arenac County, Michigan. countable, uncountable
  6. 11
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Blaine County, Montana. countable, uncountable
  7. 12
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; A city in Marion County, Oregon. countable, uncountable
  8. 13
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Columbia County, Washington. countable, uncountable
  9. 14
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; An unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia. countable, uncountable
  10. 15
    A placename.; A number of places in the United States:; Other townships in Minnesota, Oklahoma (2) and South Dakota. countable, uncountable
  11. 16
    A placename.; Ellipsis of Turner Township. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable
  12. 17
    A placename.; Ellipsis of Turner County. abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable

Synonyms

All synonyms
buildercraftsmanflippersfood turnerfrench tourneurlathe

Antonyms

nonturner

Example

"Mr Turner bade farewell to his colleagues."

Common questions

What does "turner" mean?

One who or that which turns.

What is a synonym for "turner"?

Common synonyms include: builder, craftsman, flippers, food turner, french tourneur, lathe.

How do you use "turner" in a sentence?

Mr Turner bade farewell to his colleagues.

How do you pronounce "turner"?

Pronounced /ˈtɝ.nɚ/.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English turner, torner, tornere, turnere, turnare, equivalent to turn + -er. Also from Middle English turnour, tornour, tournour, turnoure, from Old French tornour, tourneour, tourneur, tornëor (“one who fashions something by turning”).

Etymology 2

From German Turner (“gymnast”).

Etymology 3

From Middle English Turner, Turnur, Turnure, Turnour, from Middle English turner, turnare, tornere, an occupational surname for a turner or tumbler.

More for "turner"

Synonyms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsBrowse writing guidesExplore topic clusters