turned; turning; turns
Definition of turn
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to cause to move around an axis or a center : make rotate or revolve
turn a wheel turn a crank
b(1)
: to cause to move around so as to effect a desired end (as of locking, opening, or shutting)
turned the knob till the door opened
(2)
: to affect or alter the functioning of (something, such as a mechanical device) or the level of (something, such as sound) by such movement
turn the oven to 400° turn the music to full volume
c
: to execute or perform by rotating or revolving
turn handsprings
d
: to twist out of line or shape : wrench
had turned his ankle
2a(1)
: to cause to change position by moving through an arc of a circle
turned her chair to the fire
(2)
: to cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
turn the page
(3)
: to cause (a scale) to move so as to register weight
b
: to revolve mentally : think over : ponder
3a
: to reverse the sides or surfaces of : invert
turn pancakes turn the shirt inside out
: such as
(1)
: to dig or plow so as to bring the lower soil to the surface
turn the compost weekly
(2)
: to make (a garment) over by reversing the material and resewing
turn a collar
(3)
: to invert (something, such as a character, rule, or slug) feet up and face down in setting type
b
: to reverse or upset the order or disposition of
everything was turned topsy-turvy
d
: to set in another especially contrary direction
4a
: to bend or change the course of : divert
a battle that turned the tide of history
b
: to bend a course around or about : round
turned the corner at full speed
c
: to cause to retreat
used fire hoses to turn the mob
d
: to alter the drift, tendency, or expected result of
5a(1)
: to direct or point (something, such as the face) in a specified way or direction
(2)
: to present by a change in direction or position
turning his back to his guests
b
: to direct (something, such as the attention or mind) toward or away from something
d(1)
: to cause to rebound or recoil
turns their argument against them
(2)
: to make antagonistic : prejudice
turn a child against its mother
f
: to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing) : train
turned the light into the dark doorway turned a questioning eye toward her
6a(1)
: to make acid or sour
(2)
: to change the color of (foliage)
(2)
: translate, paraphrase
c
: to cause to become of a specified nature or appearance
turned him into a frog embarrassment turned her face red
d
: to exchange for something else
turn coins into paper money
e
: to cause to defect to another side
7a
: to shape especially in a rounded form by applying a cutting tool while revolving in a lathe
b
: to give a rounded form to by any means
turn the heel of a sock
c
: to shape or mold artistically, gracefully, or neatly
a well turned phrase
8
: to make a fold, bend, or curve in:
a
: to form by bending
turn a lead pipe
9a
: to gain in the course of business
turning a quick profit
b
: to keep (money, goods, etc.) moving
specifically
: to dispose of (a stock) to make room for another
c
: to make use of
turned her education to advantage
d
: to carry to completion : pull off
turned a double play turn a deal
10
: to engage in (an act of prostitution)
turn tricks
1a
: to move around on an axis or through an arc of a circle : rotate
b(1)
: to become focused on something specified
the conversation turned to baseball
(2)
: to have as a decisive factor : hinge
the argument turns on a point of logic the outcome of the game turned on an interception
(3)
: to have a center (as of interest) in something specified
the discussion turned on the overall worth of the project
c
: to become giddy or dizzy : spin
heights always made his head turn
2a
: to direct one's course
b(1)
: to reverse a course or direction
the tide has turned
(2)
: to have a reactive usually adverse effect
c
: to take a different course or direction
turned toward home the main road turns sharply to the right
3a
: to change position (as of one's head) so as to face another way
everyone turned to stare
b
: to face toward or away from someone or something
flowers turn toward the light
c
: to change one's attitude or reverse one's course of action to one of opposition or hostility
felt the world had turned against him
d
: to make a sudden violent assault especially without evident cause
dogs turning on their owners
4a
: to direct one's attention to or away from someone or something
c
: to direct one's efforts or activity : devote or apply oneself
turned to the study of the law turned to a life of crime
d(1)
: to change one's religion
(2)
: to go over to another side or party : defect
5a
: to become changed, altered, or transformed
the weather turned
: such as
(1)
: to change color
the leaves have turned
(2)
: to become sour, rancid, or tainted
the milk had turned
(3)
: to be variable or inconstant
(4)
: to become mentally unbalanced : become deranged
(5)
archaic
: to become different
b(1)
: to pass from one state to another : change
water had turned to ice
(3)
: to become someone or something specified by change from another state : change into
turn pro doctors turned authors
(4)
: to change by the passage of time
days turned into weeks and months
6
: to become curved or bent (as from pressure)
especially
: to become blunted by bending
the edge of the knife had turned
7
: to operate a lathe
8
of merchandise
: to be stocked and disposed of : change hands
turn a blind eye
turn a deaf ear
turn a hair
turn color
turn heads
turn loose
turn one's back on
turn one's hand
or turn a hand
turn one's head
turn one's stomach
turn tail
turn the other cheek
turn the tables
turn the trick
turn turtle
: to refuse to see : be oblivious
might turn a blind eye to the use of violence— Arthur Krock
: to refuse to listen
: to give a sign of distress or disturbance
did not turn a hair when told of the savage murder — The Times Literary Supplement (London)
: to attract favorable attention
the car's sleek design is bound to turn heads
1a
: to set free
turned loose the captured animal
b
: to free from all restraints
turned them loose with a pile of theme paper to write whatever they liked— Elizabeth P. Schafer
2
: to fire off : discharge
3
: to open fire
2
: forsake
turned his back on his obligations
: to set to work : apply oneself
: to cause to become infatuated or conceited
success had not turned his head
: to disgust completely : nauseate
the foul smell turned his stomach
: to turn away so as to flee
: to respond to injury or unkindness with patience : forgo retaliation
: to bring about a reversal of the relative conditions or fortunes of two contending parties
: to bring about the desired result or effect
turn
noun
plural turns
Definition of turn (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: the action or an act of turning about a center or axis : revolution, rotation
b
: any of various rotating or pivoting movements in dancing or gymnastics
2a
: the action or an act of giving or taking a different direction : change of course or posture
an illegal left turn
: such as
(1)
: a drill maneuver in which troops in mass formation change direction without preserving alignment
(2)
: any of various shifts of direction in skiing
(3)
: an interruption of a curve in figure skating
c
: deflection, deviation
d
: the action or an act of turning so as to face in the opposite direction : reversal of posture or course
an about turn the turn of the tide
e
: a change effected by turning over to another side
a turn of the cards
3
: an act or deed affecting another especially when incidental or unexpected
one good turn deserves another
4a
: a place, time, or opportunity accorded an individual or unit of a series in simple succession or in a scheduled order
waiting her turn in line
— see also take turns
c
: a period or tour of duty : shift
d
: a short act or piece (as for a variety show)
also
: public appearance : performance
makes frequent guest star turns
e(1)
: an event in any gambling game after which bets are settled
(2)
: the order of the last three cards in faro
—used in the phrase call the turn
5a
: an act of changing : alteration, modification
a nasty turn in the weather
b
: a change in tendency, trend, or drift
hoped for a turn in his luck a turn for the better an unexpected turn of events
c
: the beginning of a new period of time : the time when one period changes to the next
the turn of the century
6a
: a fashioning of language or arrangement of words : manner of expression
skillful turns of phrase
b
: distinctive quality or character
c
: the shape or mold in which something is fashioned : cast
7
: a short trip out and back or round about
took a turn through the park
8
: something that revolves around a center: such as
a(1)
: lathe
(2)
: a catch or latch for a cupboard or cabinet door operated by turning a handle
b
: a musical ornament consisting of a group of four or more notes that wind about the principal note by including the notes next above and next below
9
: a special purpose or requirement
—used chiefly in the phrase serve one's turn
10a
: the state or manner of being coiled or twisted
b
: a single round (as of rope passed about an object or of wire wound on a core)
11
: natural or special ability or aptitude : bent, inclination
a turn for logic an optimistic turn of mind
12
: a special twist, construction, or interpretation
gave the old yarn a new turn
13a
: a disordering spell or attack (as of illness, faintness, or dizziness)
b
: a nervous start or shock
snuck up on her and gave her quite a turn
14a
: a complete transaction involving a purchase and sale of securities
also
: a profit from such a transaction
15
: something turned or to be turned: such as
a
: a character or slug inverted in setting type
b
: a piece of type placed bottom up
at every turn
by turns
in turn
on the turn
out of turn
to a turn
: on every occasion : continually
they opposed her at every turn
1
: one after another in regular succession
2
: variously, alternately
a book that is by turns pedantic, delightful, and infuriating
: in due order of succession
: at the point of turning
tide is on the turn
1
: not in due order of succession
play out of turn
2
: at a wrong time or place and usually imprudently
talking out of turn
: to perfection
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Time Traveler for turn
The first known use of turn was before the 12th century
See more words from the same century