turndown

1 of 3

noun

turn·​down ˈtərn-ˌdau̇n 

1

: something turned down

also : an instance of turning something (such as a bed sheet) down

hotel turndown service

2

: rejection

3

: downturn

turndown

2 of 3

adjective

turn·​down ˈtərn-ˈdau̇n 

: capable of being turned down

especially : worn turned down

a turndown collar

turn down

3 of 3

verb

turned down; turning down; turns down

transitive verb

1

: to reduce the height or intensity of by turning a control

turn down the radio

2

: to fold or double down

turn down the sheets

3

: to decline to accept : reject

turned down the offer

4

: to turn (a card) face downward

intransitive verb

: to be capable of being folded or doubled down

the collar turns down

Synonyms of turndown

Noun

• refusal
• rejection
• denial

Verb

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• pass up

Examples of turndown in a Sentence

Noun

the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown

Verb

I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Though turndown guardrails can still be found, most now begin and end with the rectangles of steel known as terminal ends. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Enjoy a wet bar, formal dining room, and VIP amenities, including welcome bites and turndown goodies. — Tree Meinch, Midwest Living, 11 July 2026

Adjective

The full look consisted of black suede with a turndown collar emblazoned with hematite studs, fused with Who Decides War’s signature distressing and motif of chapel windows set ablaze in a matching set. — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 Feb. 2026

Rooms come with a yoga mat and foam roller, and nightly turndown service is inspired by Ozark folklore, with small tokens like red string, wildflower seeds, or stones left as mementos. — Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2025

Verb

By the end of his studies, Salakhutdinov recalled, Yang turned down a job offer from a senior Apple executive who reported directly to Tim Cook. — John Liu, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Herzog reportedly turned down an out-of-competition slot in Cannes for his new feature, which stars siblings Rooney and Kate Mara in their first on-screen collaboration. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1763, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for turndown

• adown
• blowdown
• breakdown
• countdown
• crackdown
• crosstown
• downtown
• drawdown
• dropdown
• facedown
• godown
• hometown

Kids Definition

turn down

verb

1

: to fold back or down

2

: to lower by turning a control

turn down the heat

3

: reject entry 1 sense 1

turned down the job