turn

Noun

• taking a short walk out and back
  • we took a turn in the park
    

• a favor for someone
  • he did me a good turn
    

• 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
    

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

• a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
  • it's my go
    
  • a spell of work
    

• turning or twisting around (in place)
  • with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room
    

• the act of turning away or in the opposite direction
  • he made an abrupt turn away from her
    

• a movement in a new direction
  • the turning of the wind
    

• an unforeseen development
  • events suddenly took an awkward turn
    

• (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
  • it is my turn
    
  • it is still my play
    

• the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
  • he took a turn to the right
    

• a circular segment of a curve
  • a bend in the road
    
  • a crook in the path
    

Verb

• become officially one year older
  • She is turning 50 this year
    

• go sour or spoil
  • The milk has soured
    
  • The wine worked
    
  • The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
    

• 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
    

• direct at someone
  • She turned a smile on me
    
  • They turned their flashlights on the car
    

• alter the functioning or setting of
  • turn the dial to 10
    
  • turn the heat down
    

• 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
    

• 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 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
    

• get by buying and selling
  • the company turned a good profit after a year
    

• accomplish by rotating
  • turn a somersault
    
  • turn cartwheels
    

• 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
    

• 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
    

• change color
  • In Vermont, the leaves turn early
    

• shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel
  • turn the legs of the table
    
  • turn the clay on the wheel
    

• to break and turn over earth especially with a plow
  • Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
    
  • turn the earth in the Spring
    

• to send or let go
  • They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
    

• cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
  • turn a page of a book
    

• move around an axis or a center
  • The wheels are turning
    

• let (something) fall or spill from a container
  • turn the flour onto a plate
    

• pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
  • The weather turned nasty
    
  • She grew angry
    

• pass to the other side of
  • turn the corner
    
  • move around the obstacle
    

• 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
    

• cause to move around or rotate
  • turn a key
    
  • turn your palm this way
    

• undergo a change or development
  • The water turned into ice
    
  • Her former friend became her worst enemy
    
  • He turned traitor
    

• 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
    

• 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
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  good turn , act , routine , number , bit , bout , round , go , spell , tour , twist , turning , turn of events , play , bend , crook , sour , ferment , work , call on , flex , deform , sprain , wrench , wrick , rick , plow , plough , turn over , release , grow , move around , change by reversal , reverse , become , change s