SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

U-turn

noun \ ˈyü-ˌtərn \

Definition of U-turn

1 :a turn resembling the letter U; especially :a 180-degree turn made by a vehicle in a road

2 :something (such as a reversal of policy) resembling a U-turn

See U-turn defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of u-turn

1930

u-turn Synonyms

Synonyms

about-turn [British], flip-flop, reversal, turnabout, turnaround, U-turn, volte-face

Related Words

bait and switch, switcheroo; denial, disaffirmance, disavowal, disownment, recantation, renunciation, repudiation, retraction; reconsideration, retreat, second thought; hesitation, indecision, irresolution, shilly-shallying, vacillation, wavering, wobbling (also wabbling)

U-TURN Defined for English Language Learners

U-turn

noun

Definition of U-turn for English Language Learners

: a turn that you make while driving a car, walking, etc., that causes you to begin going in the opposite direction : a 180-degree turn
: a complete change of ideas, plans, etc.

Learn More about u-turn

See words that rhyme with U-turn Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for U-turn

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up U-turn? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

play

to suppress quietly or indirectly

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

8 Words That Put One Over on You

They'll put one over on you

alt-59ee3fc46688e

'Dis': From Early Rap to Academic Journals

The word has quickly taken center stage

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game