turn on

phrasal-verb
UK: /tɜːn ɒn/
US: /tɝːn ɑːn/

  1. To start a machine or device.

    1. Can you turn on the light please? [ ] [ ]
    2. I tried to turn on the computer, but nothing happened. [ ] [ ]

  2. To switch on a supply of gas, electricity, water etc.

    1. Turn on the gas. [ ] [ ]
    2. She turned on the faucet to wash her hands after gardening. [ ] [ ]

  3. To cause someone to feel sexually aroused.

    1. That music turns me on. [ ] [ ]
    2. He said he was turned on by women in uniform during the party. [ ] [ ]

  4. To become interested or excited in something.

    1. The class turned on learning. [ ] [ ]
    2. The students really turn on when the topic is something they enjoy. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

activate excite arouse
turn on noun

  1. Something that causes sexual arousal.

    1. That's a turn on. [ ] [ ]
    2. His sense of humor is a major turn on for me in relationships. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "turn on" in English means: To start a machine or device., To switch on a supply of gas, electricity, water etc., To cause someone to feel sexually aroused., To become interested or excited in something..

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

Synonyms for "turn on": activate, excite, arouse.

Example usage of "turn on": "Can you turn on the light please?". More examples on the page.