turn
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: enpr: tûrn
ipa: /tɜːn/
ipa: /tɔːn/
enpr: tûrn
ipa: /tɜɹn/
homophone: tern
homophone: tarn
rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)n
Forms: form: turns
form: turning
form: turned
form: turned
form: turnt
form: turnt
form: no-table-tags
form: glossary
form: turn
form: turn
form: turned
form: turn
form: turnest
form: turned
form: turnedst
form: turns
form: turneth
form: turned
form: turn
form: turned
form: turn
form: turned
form: turn
form: -
form: turning
form: turned
form: turnt
Etymology: From Middle English turnen, from Old English turnian, tyrnan (“to turn, rotate, revolve”), from From Proto-West Germanic *turnēn (“to turn, lathe”) (also the source of German turnen and its derivatives) and Old French torner (“to turn”), both from Latin tornāre (“to round off, turn in a lathe”), from tornus (“lathe”), from Ancient Greek τόρνος (tórnos, “turning-lathe: a tool used for making circles”), from Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (“to rub, rub by turning, turn, twist, bore”). Cognate with Old English þrāwan (“to turn, twist, wind”), whence English throw. Displaced native Middle English wenden from Old English wendan (see wend), and Middle English trenden from Old English trendan (see trend), among several other terms.
Senses: examples: text: the Earth turns
text: turn on the spot
text: "A fine man, that Dunwody, yonder," commented the young captain, as they parted, and as he turned to his prisoner. "We'll see him on in Washington some day. He is strengthening his forces now against Mr. Benton out there.[…]."
ref: 1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
text: We didn't start the fire / It was always burning / Since the world's been turning
ref: 1989 September 18, Billy Joel, “We Didn't Start the Fire”, in Storm Front:
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To move about an axis through itself.
qualifier: etc
raw_tags: of a body
examples: text: Turn the knob clockwise.
text: It was not far from the house; but the ground sank into a depression there, and the ridge of it behind shut out everything except just the roof of the tallest hayrick. As one sat on the sward behind the elm, with the back turned on the rick and nothing in front but the tall elms and the oaks in the other hedge, it was quite easy to fancy it the verge of the prairie with the backwoods close by.
ref: 1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], “The First Gun”, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC, pages 9–10:
text: Turbines have been around for a long time—windmills and water wheels are early examples. The name comes from the Latin turbo, meaning vortex, and thus the defining property of a turbine is that a fluid or gas turns the blades of a rotor, which is attached to a shaft that can perform useful work.
ref: 2013 July-August, Lee S. Langston, “The Adaptable Gas Turbine”, in American Scientist:
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation.
examples: text: She turned right at the corner.
text: I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railroad station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.
ref: 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter II, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 12:
text: I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.
ref: 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To change one's direction of travel.
examples: text: She turned the table legs with care and precision.
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To shape (something) symmetrically by rotating it against a stationary cutting tool, as on a lathe.
examples: text: […]the Poets pen turnes them to ſhapes,[…]
ref: c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 159, column 1:
text: […]he was perfectly well turned for the occupations of trade and commerce.
ref: 1711 July 15 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 108; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 85:
text: His limbs how turn’d! how broad his ſhoulders ſpread!
ref: 1725, Homer, “Book VIII”, in [William Broome], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], volume II, London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC, page 145, line 148:
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To give form to; to shape or mould; to adapt.
examples: text: Add sugar and butter, then turn the mixture into a dish.
text: The farmer turned the cows into a field.
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To direct or impel (something) into a place.
examples: text: turn the bed covers;  turn the pages
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To position (something) by folding it, or using its folds.
examples: text: turn to page twenty;  turn through the book
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To navigate through a book or other printed material.
examples: text: I fell off my bike and turned my ankle severely.
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
To twist or sprain.
topics: ball-games
cricket
games
hobbies
lifestyle
sports
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
Of a bowler, to make (the ball) move sideways off the pitch when it bounces.
topics: ball-games
cricket
games
hobbies
lifestyle
sports
glosses: To make a non-linear physical movement.
Of a ball, to move sideways off the pitch when it bounces.
examples: text: The leaves turn brown in autumn. When I asked him for the money, he turned nasty.
text: Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd, / Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman ſcorn'd.
ref: 1697, [William] Congreve, The Mourning Bride, a Tragedy. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, Act III, page 39:
text: The former-slaves-turned-abolitionists Quobna Ottobah Cugoano and Olaudah Equiano were the chief organizers of the Sons of Africa.
ref: 2007, Junius P. Rodriguez, Encyclopedia of Emancipation and Abolition in the Transatlantic World:
text: The midfielder turned provider moments later, his exquisite reverse pass perfectly weighted for Cisse to race on to and slide past Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic.
ref: 2012 April 21, Jonathan Jurejko, “Newcastle 3-0 Stoke”, in BBC Sport:
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To become (begin to be).
synonyms: grow
get
go
wax
examples: text: The hillside behind our house isn't generally much to look at, but once all the trees turn it's gorgeous.
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change the color of the leaves in the autumn.
examples: text: Midas made everything turn to gold.  He turned into a monster every full moon.
text: At her invitation he outlined for her the succeeding chapters with terse military accuracy; and what she liked best and best understood was avoidance of that false modesty which condescends, turning technicality into pabulum.
ref: 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “Silverside”, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 300:
text: Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.
ref: 2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4:
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
examples: text: This milk has turned; it smells awful.
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
To sour or spoil; to go bad.
examples: text: to turn cider or wine
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
To make acid or sour; to ferment; to curdle.
examples: text: How long ago was he turned?
text: His companions had turned him on purpose. Annie, bless her heart, was immune.
ref: 2017, Michael J. Totten, Into the Wasteland: A Zombie Novel:
topics: fantasy
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
To change (a person) into a vampire, werewolf, zombie, etc.
examples: text: Bruce Banner turns when he is angry: he becomes the Hulk, an incredibly powerful green monster.
topics: fantasy
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
To transform into a vampire, werewolf, zombie, etc.
examples: text: We may not be made gay or lesbian in the sense of being “turned” by some error in parenting or child rearing, but we are certainly biologically made and raised (most of us) by straights.
ref: 2009 September 10, W. C. Harris, Queer Externalities: Hazardous Encounters in American Culture, State University of New York Press, →ISBN, page 154:
text: An old homophobic fantasy has it that a gay man or lesbian can be “turned” by a fulfilling sexual encounter with someone of the opposite sex
ref: 2023 May 15, Eliot Borenstein, Marvel Comics in the 1970s: The World Inside Your Head, Cornell University Press, →ISBN, page 244:
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
To change the sexual orientation or gender of another person, or otherwise awaken a sexual preference.
examples: text: Charlie turns six on September 29.
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To reach a certain age.
examples: text: The decision turns on a single fact.
text: […] Conditions of Peace certainly do turn upon Events of War.
ref: 1711 December 8 (Gregorian calendar), [Jonathan Swift], “The Eighth Article of the Grand Alliance”, in The Conduct of the Allies, and of the Late Ministry, in Beginning and Carrying on the Present War, 4th edition, London: […] John Morphew […], published 1711, →OCLC, page 72:
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To hinge; to depend.
examples: text: The prisoners turned on the warden.
text: ‘You little Fool!’ returned her sister, shaking her with the sharp pull she gave her arm. ‘Have you no spirit at all? But that’s just the way! You have no self-respect, you have no becoming pride, just as you allow yourself to be followed about by a contemptible little Chivery of a thing,’ with the scornfullest emphasis, ‘you would let your family be trodden on, and never turn.’
ref: 1855 December – 1857 June, Charles Dickens, Little Dorrit, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1857, →OCLC:
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To rebel; to go against something formerly tolerated.
topics: government
hobbies
lifestyle
martial-arts
military
politics
professional-wrestling
sports
war
wrestling
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change personal condition.
To change personalities, such as from being a face (good guy) to heel (bad guy) or vice versa.
examples: text: Ile looke no more, / Leaſt my braine turne,[…]
ref: c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii], page 302, column 2:
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change personal condition.
To make or become giddy; said of the head or brain.
examples: text: The sight turned my stomach.
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change personal condition.
To sicken; to nauseate.
glosses: To change condition or attitude.
To change personal condition.
To be nauseated; said of the stomach.
examples: text: And they made a calfe in thoſe dayes / and offered ſacrifice vnto the ymage / and reioyſed in the workes of theyr awne hondes. / Then God turned hym ſilfe / and gave them vp /[…]
ref: 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts vij:[41–42], folio clxiij, verso:
text: Turne from thy fierce wrath,[…]
ref: 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 32:12, columns 1–2:
text: The Mind receiving the Ideas, mentioned in the foregoing Chapter, from without, when it turns its view inward upon its ſelf,[…]
ref: 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], “Of Simple Ideas of Reflection”, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book II, § 1, page 51:
text: Little disappointed, then, she turned attention to "Chat of the Social World," gossip which exercised potent fascination upon the girl's intelligence.
ref: 1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter I (Anarchy), page 373, column 2:
glosses: To change one's course of action; to take a new approach.
examples: text: They say they can turn the parts in two days.
glosses: To complete.
raw_tags: with over
examples: text: We turned a pretty penny with that little scheme.
glosses: To make (money); turn a profit.
examples: text: Liverpool introduced Carroll for Spearing and were rewarded after 64 minutes when he put them back in contention. Stewart Downing blocked Jose Bosingwa's attempted clearance, which fell into the path of Carroll. He turned John Terry superbly before firing high past Cech.
ref: 2012 May 5, Phil McNulty, “Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool”, in BBC Sport:
topics: ball-games
games
hobbies
lifestyle
soccer
sports
glosses: Of a player, to go past an opposition player with the ball in one's control.
examples: text: Ivory turns well.
glosses: To undergo the process of turning on a lathe.
topics: medicine
obstetrics
sciences
glosses: To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery.
topics: media
printing
publishing
glosses: To invert a type of the same thickness, as a temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted.
examples: text: to turn the Iliad
text: who turns a Persian tale for half a crown
ref: 1735, Alexander Pope, The Prologue to the Satires:
glosses: To translate.
qualifier: roleplaying games
glosses: To magically or divinely repel undead.
Synonyms: sense: move around an axis through itself
word: rotate
sense: move around an axis through itself
word: spin
sense: move around an axis through itself
word: twirl
sense: change the direction or orientation of
word: rotate
sense: change one's direction of travel
word: steer
sense: change one's direction of travel
word: swerve
sense: change one's direction of travel
word: tack
sense: become
word: become
sense: become
word: get
sense: become
word: go
sense: rebel
word: rebel
sense: rebel
word: revolt
sense: shape on a lathe
word: lathe
sense: go bad
word: go bad
sense: go bad
word: go off
sense: go bad
word: sour
sense: go bad
word: spoil
word: complete
Derived terms: even a worm will turn
mill-turn
not know where to turn
not know which way to turn
please turn left
please turn right
stomach-turning
the worm turns
tilt-and-turn
tilt-turn
toss and turn
turn a blind eye
turn about
turn a corner
turn a deaf ear
turn again
turn against
turn a hair
turn a new leaf
turn an honest penny
turn a number of shades of red
turn a page
turn a phrase
turn around
turnaround
turn around one's finger
turn a setback into a comeback
turn aside
turn a trick
turn away
turn back
turn back the clock
turn down
turn flukes
turn forth
turn heads
turn home
turn in
turn in one's grave
turn in on oneself
turn inside-out
turn in succession
turn into
turn inward
turn king's evidence
turn loose
turn off
turn on
turn one on
turn one's back
turn one's coat
turn one's color
turn one's hand to
turn one's life around
turn one's life upside down
turn one's nose up
turn one's world upside down
turn on its head
turn on one's heel
turn on red
turn or burn
turn out
turn over
turn pear-shaped
turn queen's evidence
turn round
turnround
turn rusty
turn someone's crank
turn someone's head
turn something into an art form
turn square corners
turn tail
turn the air blue
turn the boat
turn the boat around
turn the clock back
turn the corner
turn the dial
turn the frown upside down
turn the knife
turn the knife in the wound
turn the other cheek
turn the other way
turn the page
turn the scale
turn the screw
turn the screws
turn the table
turn the tables
turn the tide
turn the trick
turn the turtle
turn to
turn to custard
turn to dust
turn together
turn to good account
turn to stone
turn traitor
turn tricks
turn Turk
turn turtle
turn two
turn under
turn up
turn upon
turn up one's nose
turn upside down
turn up the heat
turn with every wind
twist and turn
wheels are turning