Meaning & Definition of Turn in English

1. A circular segment of a curve

• "A bend in the road"

• "A crook in the path"

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

• "He took a turn to the right"

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

• "It is my turn"

• "It is still my play"

4. An unforeseen development

• "Events suddenly took an awkward turn"

5. A movement in a new direction

• "The turning of the wind"

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

• "He made an abrupt turn away from her"

7. Turning or twisting around (in place)

• "With a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room"

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

• "It's my go"

• "A spell of work"

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

10. 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"

11. A favor for someone

• "He did me a good turn"

12. Taking a short walk out and back

• "We took a turn in the park"

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"

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"

3. Undergo a change or development

• "The water turned into ice"

• "Her former friend became her worst enemy"

• "He turned traitor"

4. Cause to move around or rotate

• "Turn a key"

• "Turn your palm this way"

5. 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"

6. Pass to the other side of

• "Turn the corner"

• "Move around the obstacle"

7. Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute

• Become

• "The weather turned nasty"

• "She grew angry"

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

• "Turn the flour onto a plate"

9. Move around an axis or a center

• "The wheels are turning"

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

• "Turn a page of a book"

11. To send or let go

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

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

• "Farmer jones plowed his east field last week"

• "Turn the earth in the spring"

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"

14. Change color

• "In vermont, the leaves turn early"

15. 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"

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"

17. Accomplish by rotating

• "Turn a somersault"

• "Turn cartwheels"

18. Get by buying and selling

• "The company turned a good profit after a year"

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"

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"

21. 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"

22. Alter the functioning or setting of

• "Turn the dial to 10"

• "Turn the heat down"

23. Direct at someone

• "She turned a smile on me"

• "They turned their flashlights on the car"

24. 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"

25. Go sour or spoil

• "The milk has soured"

• "The wine worked"

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

26. Become officially one year older

• "She is turning 50 this year"