Turn Definition & Meaning
turn
- noun
- a circular segment of a curve; "a bend in the road"; "a crook in the path"
- the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course; "he took a turn to the right"
- (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession; "it is my turn"; "it is still my play"
- an unforeseen development; "events suddenly took an awkward turn"
- a movement in a new direction; "the turning of the wind"
- the act of turning away or in the opposite direction; "he made an abrupt turn away from her"
- turning or twisting around (in place); "with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room"
- a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else); "it's my go"; "a spell of work"
- (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
- a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
- a favor for someone; "he did me a good turn"
- taking a short walk out and back; "we took a turn in the park"
- verb
- 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"
- 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"
- undergo a change or development; "The water turned into ice"; "Her former friend became her worst enemy"; "He turned traitor"
- cause to move around or rotate; "turn a key"; "turn your palm this way"
- change to the contrary; "The trend was reversed"; "the tides turned against him"; "public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern"
- pass to the other side of; "turn the corner"; "move around the obstacle"
- pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become; "The weather turned nasty"; "She grew angry"
- let (something) fall or spill from a container; "turn the flour onto a plate"
- move around an axis or a center; "The wheels are turning"
- cause to move around a center so as to show another side of; "turn a page of a book"
- to send or let go; "They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion"
- to break and turn over earth especially with a plow; "Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week"; "turn the earth in the Spring"
- shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel; "turn the legs of the table"; "turn the clay on the wheel"
- change color; "In Vermont, the leaves turn early"
- twist suddenly so as to sprain; "wrench one's ankle"; "The wrestler twisted his shoulder"; "the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell"; "I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days"
- 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"
- accomplish by rotating; "turn a somersault"; "turn cartwheels"
- get by buying and selling; "the company turned a good profit after a year"
- 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"
- 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"
- cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form; "bend the rod"; "twist the dough into a braid"; "the strong man could turn an iron bar"
- alter the functioning or setting of; "turn the dial to 10"; "turn the heat down"
- direct at someone; "She turned a smile on me"; "They turned their flashlights on the car"
- have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to; "She called on her Representative to help her"; "She turned to her relatives for help"
- go sour or spoil; "The milk has soured"; "The wine worked"; "The cream has turned--we have to throw it out"
- become officially one year older; "She is turning 50 this year"
"Turn" in song lyrics
See how turn is used in real songs:
-
"Your man did you wrong, now it's my turn"
2 Live Crew — Get it Girl -
"When are boys gon learn, quit talking out of turn"
50/50 Twin f/ Archie Lee, Lester Roy — Hollyhood -
"and game will ever turn"
51.50 — Stuck in the Game
Words that rhyme with turn
Usage tips for "turn"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "turn" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for turn to find words that pair well.