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turn

SayTURN/tɜɹn/UK/tɜːn/

Verbturns, turning, turned

Noun pluralturns

54 meanings of turn

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  1. 1
    rotate somethingverbtransitive
    To go round, or move something so it faces another way.

    Turn the chair around so you can see the TV.

    He turned the map upside down.

    UsageOften turn something over or around.

    Similarrotate, twist, spin, swivel

  2. 2
    change intoverbtransitive or intransitive
    To change completely into something else, or make something do this, as in turn into a butterfly or turn water into ice.

    As the night got colder, the rain began to turn to snow.

    In the fairy tale, the frog turns into a handsome prince.

    UsageAlso turn to: the rain turned to snow.

    Similarchange, transform, develop, evolve, grow

  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To change the direction you are going in.

    The driver turned left at the light without signaling.

    Turn left after the church.

    UsageSay turn left or turn right.

    Similarveer, swerve, bend, curve, swing

  4. 4
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To begin to be, used with a describing word, as in turn cold or turn red.

    The sky turned dark just before the storm.

    Bananas turn brown if you keep them too long.

    UsageOften used for weather or color, like get or go: turn warm, turn pale.

    Similarbecome, get, grow, go (entry)

    Note
  5. 5
    your gonouncountable
    Your chance to do something, like play or work, when people take it in order one after another.

    The children took turns hitting the piñata at the party.

    It's my turn on the swing.

    UsageSay it's your turn or take turns.

    Similargo (entry)

  6. 6
    nouncountable
    An act of turning something, or a change of direction.

    The road has a sharp turn just before the bridge.

    Take the second turn on the left.

    UsageSay make a right turn or give the key a turn.

    Similartwist, bend, corner, curve, rotation

    Note
  7. 7
    verbintransitive
    To go to someone or something for help, advice or comfort, often when nothing else has worked.

    When she lost her job, she turned to her parents for help.

    Many people turn to music when they feel sad.

    UsageSay turn to someone for help.

    Similarresort

  8. 8
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To move your thoughts, attention or a talk on to a new subject, or for your thoughts to go there.

    Now let's turn our attention to the next question on the list.

    As the holidays came near, her thoughts turned to home.

    UsageOften turn to a new topic: let's turn to sport.

    Similarshift, switch, direct

  9. 9
    reach ageverbtransitive or intransitive
    To reach a certain age.

    Charlie turns six on the twenty-ninth.

    My grandmother will turn ninety in May.

    UsageSay turn + age: he turned ten.

    Similarreach, hit

  10. 10
    sudden changenouncountable
    A change, often sudden, in a situation or in someone's health or luck.

    She took a turn for the worse in the night.

    His luck took a turn last spring.

    UsageOften take a turn for the better.

    Similartwist, change, shift, development, swing

  11. 11
    go againstverbtransitive or intransitive
    To attack or go against someone you used to accept, with 'on' or 'against'.

    After the election, his own party turned against him.

    A cornered dog may turn on its owner.

    UsageSay turn on or turn against someone.

    Similarrebel, attack

  12. 12
    verbreflexiveintransitive
    To change your course of action or your attitude.

    When the old plan failed, the team turned to a new idea.

    It is never too late to turn from bad habits.

    Similarswitch, shift, move

    Note
  13. 13
    direct intoverbtransitive
    To put or move something into a place.

    Turn the mixture into a dish and bake.

    The farmer turned the cows into the field.

    UsageTurn a cake onto a plate: move it there.

    Similardirect, send, drive, divert, channel

    Note
  14. 14
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    In stories, to change a person into a vampire, werewolf or zombie, or to become one yourself.

    The vampire wanted to turn her so they could live forever.

    After the zombie bit him, he started to turn.

    Similarchange

    Note
  15. 15
    verbtransitive
    To shape or form something, as a craftsman does.

    She knows how to turn a neat phrase in her letters.

    His speech was well turned and easy to follow.

    UsageOften turn a phrase: say something well.

    Similarcraft, shape, fashion, form

    Note

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Origins

Meanings 1–4, 7–9, 11–18, 20, 22, 24, 26–28, 30

From an Old English word meaning "to turn or rotate." It goes back through Latin tornāre ("to turn in a lathe") to Greek tórnos, a tool for making circles.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Meanings 5–6, 10, 19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31–34

It comes partly from the verb "turn." It also comes partly from an Anglo-Norman word that goes back to Latin tornus and Greek tórnos.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The noun comes partly from the verb turn. en.wiktionary.org
  • The noun also comes partly from Anglo-Norman, ultimately from Latin tornus and Greek tórnos. en.wiktionary.org