turn

verb
UK: /tɜːn/
US: /tɝːn/

  1. To move in a circle or around a central point.

    1. Turn the key to start the car. [ ] [ ]
    2. The Earth's daily turn creates night and day. [ ] [ ]

  2. To change direction or orientation.

    1. Turn left at the next corner. [ ] [ ]
    2. The driver had to turn the wheel sharply to avoid the obstacle. [ ] [ ]

  3. To change or become different.

    1. The leaves turn brown in autumn. [ ] [ ]
    2. The situation took an unexpected turn for the worse. [ ] [ ]

  4. To direct or point something in a particular direction.

    1. Turn your head to the right. [ ] [ ]
    2. He turned his attention back to the task at hand. [ ] [ ]

  5. To perform or execute (an action, task, etc.).

    1. He will turn 40 next year. [ ] [ ]
    2. They need to turn a profit if they want to stay afloat. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

twist spell period spin rotate shift alter change revolve opportunity veer chance
turn noun

  1. An act of turning or changing direction.

    1. Take a turn at the corner. [ ] [ ]
    2. The sudden turn of events surprised everyone. [ ] [ ]

  2. A change in condition, form, or direction.

    1. The road has a sharp turn. [ ] [ ]
    2. There's been a turn for the better in his health. [ ] [ ]

  3. An opportunity or chance to do something.

    1. It's my turn to play now. [ ] [ ]
    2. Each member will have a turn to speak at the meeting. [ ] [ ]

  4. A short walk or ride.

    1. Let's take a turn around the park. [ ] [ ]
    2. I took a turn around the garden to clear my head. [ ] [ ]
turn idiom

  1. A phrase indicating it's someone's opportunity to do something.

    1. It's your turn to wash the dishes. [ ] [ ]
    2. Next turn will be on John, according to the chart. [ ] [ ]
turn phrasal-verb

  1. To change into something or someone.

    1. The prince was turned into a frog. [ ] [ ]
    2. With hard work, you can turn dreams into reality. [ ] [ ]

  2. To go to bed.

    1. I turn in early on weekdays. [ ] [ ]
    2. Let's turn in and get some rest after the long day. [ ] [ ]

  3. To give something to an authority.

    1. Turn in your papers after the test. [ ] [ ]
    2. Please turn in the missing wallet if you find it. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "turn" in English means: To move in a circle or around a central point., To change direction or orientation., To change or become different., To direct or point something in a particular direction., To perform or execute (an action, task, etc.)..

The phonetic transcription of "turn" is /tɜːn/ in British English and /tɝːn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "turn": twist, spell, period, spin, rotate, shift, alter, change, revolve, opportunity, veer, chance.

Example usage of "turn": "Turn the key to start the car.". More examples on the page.