turn

(noun, verb)

noun

1. a circular segment of a curve

Similar word(s): bend, crook, twist

Definition categories: shape, curve

2. the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

- he took a turn to the right

Similar word(s): turning

Definition categories: act

3. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession

- it is my turn

Similar word(s): play

Definition categories: act, activity

4. an unforeseen development

- events suddenly took an awkward turn

Similar word(s): twist

Definition categories: event, development

5. a movement in a new direction

- the turning of the wind

Similar word(s): turning

Definition categories: event, motion, movement

6. the act of turning away or in the opposite direction

- he made an abrupt turn away from her

Definition categories: act, reorientation

7. turning or twisting around (in place)

Similar word(s): twist

Definition categories: act, rotation

8. a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

Similar word(s): go, spell, tour

Definition categories: time, shift

9. (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

Similar word(s): bout, round

Definition categories: time, division, part, section

10. a short performance that is part of a longer program

Similar word(s): act, bit, number, routine

Definition categories: communication, performance

11. a favor for someone

- he did me a good turn

Definition categories: act, favor, favour

12. taking a short walk out and back

- we took a turn in the park

Definition categories: act, walk

Sentences with turn as a noun:

- Give the handle a turn, then pull it.

- They took turns playing with the new toy.

- They quote a three-day turn on parts like those.

- I've had a funny turn.

- She took a turn for the worse.

- One good turn deserves another.

- I felt that the man was of a vindictive nature, and would do me an evil turn if he found the opportunity

verb

1. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

- Turn towards me

- The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face

- She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs

Definition categories: motion, move

2. undergo a transformation or a change of position or action

- We turned from Socialism to Capitalism

- The people turned against the President when he stole the election

Definition categories: change

3. undergo a change or development

- The water turned into ice

- He turned traitor

Similar word(s): become

Definition categories: stative, metamorphose, transform, transmute

4. cause to move around or rotate

- turn a key

- turn your palm this way

Definition categories: motion, displace, move

5. change to the contrary

- the tides turned against him

- public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern

Similar word(s): reverse

Definition categories: change

6. pass to the other side of

- turn the corner

Definition categories: motion, go, locomote, move, travel

7. pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

- The weather turned nasty

Similar word(s): grow

Definition categories: change

8. let (something) fall or spill from a container

- turn the flour onto a plate

Similar word(s): release

Definition categories: contact, channel, channelise, channelize, transfer, transmit, transport

9. move around an axis or a center

- The wheels are turning

Definition categories: motion, move

10. cause to move around a center so as to show another side of

- turn a page of a book

Definition categories: motion, displace, move

11. to send or let go

- They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion

Definition categories: motion, direct, send

12. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow

- turn the earth in the Spring

Similar word(s): plough, plow

Definition categories: creation, till

13. shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel

- turn the legs of the table

- turn the clay on the wheel

Definition categories: contact, form, shape

14. change color

- In Vermont, the leaves turn early

Definition categories: change, grow, turn, color, colour, discolor, discolour

15. twist suddenly so as to sprain

- I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days

Similar word(s): rick, sprain, twist, wrench, wrick

Definition categories: body, injure, wound

16. cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics

- The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him

- The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold

Definition categories: stative, alter, change, modify

17. accomplish by rotating

- turn a somersault

- turn cartwheels

Definition categories: social, do, perform

18. get by buying and selling

- the company turned a good profit after a year

Definition categories: possession, acquire, get

19. cause to move along an axis or into a new direction

- turn your face to the wall

- turn the car around

- turn your dance partner around

Definition categories: motion, displace, move

20. channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something

- The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction

- people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium

Definition categories: motion, direct, send

21. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form

- the strong man could turn an iron bar

Similar word(s): bend, deform, flex, twist

Definition categories: contact, deform

22. alter the functioning or setting of

- turn the dial to 10

- turn the heat down

Definition categories: contact, control, operate

23. direct at someone

- She turned a smile on me

- They turned their flashlights on the car

Definition categories: competition, aim, direct, take, train

24. have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to

- She turned to her relatives for help

Definition categories: communication, appeal, invoke

25. go sour or spoil

- The cream has turned--we have to throw it out

Similar word(s): ferment, sour, work

Definition categories: change, turn

26. become officially one year older

- She is turning 50 this year

Definition categories: change, age, maturate, mature, senesce

Sentences with turn as a verb:

- the Earth turns;  turn on the spot

- Turn the knob clockwise.

- She turned right at the corner.

- She turned the table legs with care and precision.

- turn the bed covers;  turn the pages

- turn to page twenty;  turn through the book

- The leaves turn brown in autumn.

- The hillside behind our house isn't generally much to look at, but once all the trees turn it's gorgeous.

- Midas made everything turn to gold.  He turned into a monster every full moon.

- This milk has turned; it smells awful.

- to turn cider or wine

- The decision turns on a single fact.

- The prisoners turned on the warden.

- The sight turned my stomach.

- They say they can turn the parts in two days.

- Ivory turns well.

- to turn the Iliad