verb 1. to move or cause to move around an axis: a wheel turning, to turn a knob
2. (sometimes foll by round) to change or cause to change positions by moving through an arc of a circle: he turned the chair to face the light
3. to change or cause to change in course, direction, etc: he turned left at the main road
4. (of soldiers, ships, etc) to alter the direction of advance by changing direction simultaneously or (of a commander) to cause the direction of advance to be altered simultaneously
5. to go or pass to the other side of (a corner, etc)
6. to assume or cause to assume a rounded, curved, or folded form: the road turns here
7. to reverse or cause to reverse position
8. (transitive) to pass round (an enemy or enemy position) so as to attack it from the flank or rear: the Germans turned the Maginot line
9. (transitive) to perform or do by a rotating movement: to turn a somersault
10. (transitive) to shape or cut a thread in (a workpiece, esp one of metal, wood, or plastic) by rotating it on a lathe against a fixed cutting tool
11. when intr, foll by into or to. to change or convert or be changed or converted: the alchemists tried to turn base metals into gold
12. (foll by into) to change or cause to change in nature, character, etc: the frog turned into a prince
13. (copula) to change so as to become: he turned nasty when he heard the price
14. to cause (foliage, etc) to change colour or (of foliage, etc) to change colour: frost turned the trees a vivid orange
15. to cause (milk, etc) to become rancid or sour or (of milk, etc) to become rancid or sour
16. to change or cause to change in subject, trend, etc: the conversation turned to fishing
17. to direct or apply or be directed or applied: he turned his attention to the problem
18. (intransitive) usually foll by to. to appeal or apply (to) for help, advice, etc: she was very frightened and didn't know where to turn
19. to reach, pass, or progress beyond in age, time, etc: she has just turned twenty
20. (transitive) to cause or allow to go: to turn an animal loose
21. to affect or be affected with nausea: the sight of the dead body turned his stomach
22. to affect or be affected with giddiness: my head is turning
23. (transitive) to affect the mental or emotional stability of (esp in the phrase turn (someone's) head)
24. (transitive) to release from a container: she turned the fruit into a basin
25. (transitive) to render into another language
26. usually foll by against or from. to transfer or reverse or cause to transfer or reverse (one's loyalties, affections, etc)
27. (transitive) to cause (an enemy agent) to become a double agent working for one's own side: the bureau turned some of the spies it had caught
28. (transitive) to bring (soil) from lower layers to the surface
29. to blunt (an edge) or (of an edge) to become blunted
30. (transitive) to give a graceful form to: to turn a compliment
31. (transitive) to reverse (a cuff, collar, etc) in order to hide the outer worn side
32. (intransitive) (US) to be merchandised as specified: shirts are turning well this week
33. (cricket) to spin (the ball) or (of the ball) to spin
34. turn one's hand to, to undertake (something, esp something practical)
35. turn tail, to run away; flee
36. turn the tables on someone, See table (sense 17)
37. turn the tide, to reverse the general course of events
noun 38. an act or instance of turning or the state of being turned or the material turned: a turn of a rope around a bollard
39. a movement of complete or partial rotation
40. a change or reversal of direction or position
41. direction or drift: his thoughts took a new turn
42. a deviation or departure from a course or tendency
43. the place, point, or time at which a deviation or change occurs
44. another word for turning (sense 1)
45. the right or opportunity to do something in an agreed order or succession: we'll take turns to play, now it's George's turn, you must not play out of turn
46. a change in nature, condition, etc: his illness took a turn for the worse
47. a period of action, work, etc
48. a short walk, ride, or excursion: to take a turn in the park
49. natural inclination: he is of a speculative turn of mind, she has a turn for needlework
50. distinctive form or style: a neat turn of phrase
51. requirement, need, or advantage: to serve someone's turn
52. a deed performed that helps or hinders someone: to do an old lady a good turn
53. a twist, bend, or distortion in shape
54. (music) a melodic ornament that makes a turn around a note, beginning with the note above, in a variety of sequences
55. (theatre, mainly Brit) a short theatrical act, esp in music hall, cabaret, etc
56. (
stock exchange)
- (Brit) the difference between a market maker's bid and offer prices, representing the market maker's profit
- a transaction including both a purchase and a sale
57. a military manoeuvre in which men or ships alter their direction of advance together
58. (Austral, slang) a party
59. (informal) a shock or surprise: the bad news gave her quite a turn
60. at every turn, on all sides or occasions
61. by turns, one after another; alternately
62. (
informal)
on the turn - at the point of change
- about to go rancid
63. out of turn - not in the correct or agreed order of succession
- improperly, inappropriately, or inopportunely
64. (poker, slang) the turn, the fourth community card to be dealt face-up in a round of Texas hold ’em
65. turn and turn about, one after another; alternately
66. to a turn, to the proper amount; perfectly: cooked to a turn