turnup

1 of 3

adjective

turn·​up ˈtər-ˈnəp 

1

: turned up

a turnup nose

2

: made or fitted to be turned up

a turnup collar

turnup

2 of 3

noun

turn·​up ˈtər-ˌnəp 

: something that is turned up

turn up

3 of 3

verb

turned up; turning up; turns up

transitive verb

1

: find, discover

2

: to raise or increase by or as if by turning a control

turn up the volume on the radio

3

British

a

: to look up (a word, a fact, etc.) in a book

b

: to refer to or consult (a book)

4

: to turn (a card) face upward

intransitive verb

1

: to appear or come to light unexpectedly or after being lost

new evidence has turned up

2

a(1)

: to turn out to be

he turned up missing at roll call

(2)

: appear sense 4

her name is always turning up in the newspapers

b

: to arrive or show up at an appointed or expected time or place

turned up half an hour late

3

: to happen or occur unexpectedly

something always turned up to prevent their meeting

4

of a ship : tack sense 1b

Phrases

turn up one's nose

: to show scorn or disdain

Synonyms

Verb

• appear
• come out
• materialize
• show
• show up
• unfold

Example Sentences

Verb

my missing car keys turned up just in time

when do you think our guests will turn up?

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Ericeira may be known as the surf capital of Europe, but those shores also turn up some excellent seafood. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023

There is star power all over the Heat roster, but can stars like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo turn up their performances down the final stretch of the season? —Chris Ilenstine, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2023

Played, respectively, by Christian Bale and Harry Melling, the two sleuths — a kind of American Holmes and Watson — are soon on the case, as other victims, animal and human, turn up with their hearts cut out. —Michael O'sullivan, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2023

So, go right ahead and turn up the Christmas classics as Dec. 25 draws nearer. —cleveland, 29 Nov. 2022

So there was a stunt gym that individual people would be learning their particular stunts for, but anyone could turn up. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2022

Officials are urging Californians to run their air conditioning earlier in the day, when more power is available, and to turn up the thermostat starting at 4 p.m. —Irina Ivanova, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2022

Another win will only increase the attention, and ardor, of tennis fans and turn up the volume on talk about whether this could be another turn-back-the-clock U.S. Open story. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022

One drawback: customers have complained that this Frigidaire can run loud, so make sure to make it before guests arrive, or at least turn up the sound system to drown out the noise. —Joe Morales, Men's Health, 16 Aug. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1685, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1563, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

turn up

verb

1

: to be found or happen usually unexpectedly

2

: to raise by or as if by using a control

turn up the heat

3

: arrive sense 1

turned up late