turn

/tə:n/
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turn

We took a turn around the park.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A change in direction or position: The act of moving or rotating around a central point or axis, or a change in the course of something.
    • A chance or opportunity to do something in a sequence: A person's time or chance to do something, especially when people are taking sequential actions.
    • A short walk or drive: A short journey, often for pleasure, that involves going somewhere and returning.
    • A particular quality or character: A distinctive style, form, or expression.
    • A period of time or a shift: A short period of activity or duty.
    • An unexpected change in a situation: A development or change in events, especially an unforeseen one.
  2. Verb:

    • To move or cause to move around a central point: To rotate or revolve.
    • To change direction: To move so as to face or go in a different direction.
    • To change in nature, state, or form: To become something different or cause something to become different.
    • To reach or pass a certain point in time or age: To become a specific age or to reach a particular time.
    • To shape on a lathe: To give a rounded form to an object by rotating it against a cutting tool.
    • To direct or point: To aim or focus something in a particular direction.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • He made a sharp turn to the left. (He changed direction to the left.)
    • It's your turn to speak. (It is now your opportunity or time to speak.)
    • Let's go for a turn around the block. (Let's take a short walk around the block.)
    • She has a witty turn of phrase. (She has a clever way of expressing herself.)
    • I'll take a turn at watching the children. (I will take a short period of duty watching the children.)
    • Events took an unexpected turn. (The situation changed in an unforeseen way.)
  • Verb:

    • Please turn the key in the lock. (Please rotate the key.)
    • The car turned onto the main road. (The car changed direction onto the main road.)
    • The milk will turn sour if left out. (The milk will become sour.)
    • She turned fifty last week. (She became fifty years old last week.)
    • He turns wood to make bowls. (He shapes wood on a lathe to make bowls.)
    • She turned her attention to the problem. (She directed her attention to the problem.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to turn over": To flip something so the other side is up, or to transfer control.

    • He turned over the document to read the back.
    • The company was turned over to new management.
  • "to turn out": To result in a particular way; to produce; to attend an event.

    • The party turned out to be a great success.
    • The factory turns out a thousand cars a day.
    • A large crowd turned out for the parade.
  • "to turn against": To become opposed or hostile to someone or something.

    • The public turned against the policy after the scandal.
  • "to turn a profit": To earn a profit.

    • The new store finally turned a profit in its second year.
Variants and Related Words
  • Turner (n): A person or machine that turns something, especially a person who shapes wood or metal on a lathe.
  • Turning (n): The action or skill of shaping wood or metal on a lathe; a place where a road branches off.
  • Turnstile (n): A mechanical gate consisting of revolving horizontal arms that allow only one person at a time to pass through.
  • Turnover (n): The amount of money taken by a business in a particular period; the rate at which employees leave and are replaced.
  • Turnkey (adj): Supplied, installed, or provided complete and ready to operate.
Synonyms
  • Rotate (v): To move in a circle around a central point.
  • Revolve (v): To move in a circular orbit around a central point.
  • Shift (v/n): To move or change, or a change in position or direction.
  • Change (v/n): To make or become different.
  • Bend (v/n): To curve or change direction; a curved section.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Turn around: To change to an opposite direction or a more successful condition.

    • The company turned around its fortunes under new leadership.
  • Turn down: To reject an offer or request; to reduce the volume or intensity.

    • She had to turn down the job offer.
    • Please turn down the music.
  • Turn into: To change or transform into something else.

    • The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
  • Turn up: To arrive or appear; to increase the volume or intensity.

    • He finally turned up an hour late.
    • Can you turn up the heat?
Related Idioms
  • Turn a blind eye: To pretend not to notice something.

    • The manager turned a blind eye to the minor rule violations.
  • Turn over a new leaf: To start behaving in a better way.

    • After the incident, he decided to turn over a new leaf.
  • Turn the tables: To reverse a situation to gain an advantage.

    • The underdog team turned the tables and won the championship.
  • At every turn: Continuously or at every opportunity.

    • She faced obstacles at every turn.
  • In turn: One after the other in a sequence.

    • The speakers presented their arguments in turn.
turn

We took a turn around the park.

Noun
  1. taking a short walk out and back
    • we took a turn in the park
  2. a favor for someone
    • he did me a good turn
  3. 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
  4. (sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
  5. a time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
    • it's my go
    • a spell of work
  6. turning or twisting around (in place)
    • with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room
  7. the act of turning away or in the opposite direction
    • he made an abrupt turn away from her
  8. a movement in a new direction
    • the turning of the wind
  9. an unforeseen development
    • events suddenly took an awkward turn
  10. (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
    • it is my turn
    • it is still my play
  11. the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
    • he took a turn to the right
  12. a circular segment of a curve
    • a bend in the road
    • a crook in the path
Verb
  1. become officially one year older
    • She is turning 50 this year
  2. go sour or spoil
    • The milk has soured
    • The wine worked
    • The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
  3. 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
  4. direct at someone
    • She turned a smile on me
    • They turned their flashlights on the car
  5. alter the functioning or setting of
    • turn the dial to 10
    • turn the heat down
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. get by buying and selling
    • the company turned a good profit after a year
  10. accomplish by rotating
    • turn a somersault
    • turn cartwheels
  11. 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
  12. 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
  13. change color
    • In Vermont, the leaves turn early
  14. shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel
    • turn the legs of the table
    • turn the clay on the wheel
  15. to break and turn over earth especially with a plow
    • Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
    • turn the earth in the Spring
  16. to send or let go
    • They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
  17. cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
    • turn a page of a book
  18. move around an axis or a center
    • The wheels are turning
  19. let (something) fall or spill from a container
    • turn the flour onto a plate
  20. pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
    • The weather turned nasty
    • She grew angry
  21. pass to the other side of
    • turn the corner
    • move around the obstacle
  22. 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
  23. cause to move around or rotate
    • turn a key
    • turn your palm this way
  24. undergo a change or development
    • The water turned into ice
    • Her former friend became her worst enemy
    • He turned traitor
  25. 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
  26. 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