TURN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does turn mean? 

• TURN (noun)
  The noun TURN has 12 senses:

1. a circular segment of a curve

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

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

4. an unforeseen development

5. a movement in a new direction

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

7. turning or twisting around (in place)

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

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

10. a short performance that is part of a longer program

11. a favor for someone

12. taking a short walk out and back

  Familiarity information: TURN used as a noun is familiar.

• TURN (verb)
  The verb TURN has 26 senses:

1. change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

2. undergo a transformation or a change of position or action

3. undergo a change or development

4. cause to move around or rotate

5. change to the contrary

6. pass to the other side of

7. pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

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

9. move around an axis or a center

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

11. to send or let go

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

13. shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel

14. change color

15. twist suddenly so as to sprain

16. cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics

17. accomplish by rotating

18. get by buying and selling

19. cause to move along an axis or into a new direction

20. channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something

21. cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form

22. alter the functioning or setting of

23. direct at someone

24. have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to

25. go sour or spoil

26. become officially one year older

  Familiarity information: TURN used as a verb is very familiar.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TURN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A circular segment of a curve

Classified under:

Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes

Synonyms:

bend; crook; turn; twist

Context example:

a crook in the path

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

curve; curved shape (the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

bight (a bend or curve (especially in a coastline))

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of changing or reversing the direction of the course

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

turn; turning

Context example:

he took a turn to the right

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

change of course (a change in the direction that you are moving)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

deflection; deflexion; deviation; digression; divagation; diversion (a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern))

right (a turn toward the side of the body that is on the south when the person is facing east)

left (a turn toward the side of the body that is on the north when the person is facing east)

kick turn (a standing turn made in skiing; one ski is raised to the vertical and pivoted backward to become parallel with the other ski but headed in the opposite direction and then the other ski is aligned with the first)

stem; stem turn (a turn made in skiing; the back of one ski is forced outward and the other ski is brought parallel to it)

telemark (a turn made in skiing; the outside ski is placed ahead and turned gradually inwards)

swerve; swerving; veering (the act of turning aside suddenly)

three-point turn (the act of turning a vehicle around in a limited space by moving in a series of back and forward arcs)

version (manual turning of a fetus in the uterus (usually to aid delivery))

Derivation:

turn (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense)

Sense 3

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

play; turn

Context example:

it is still my play

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

activity (any specific behavior)

Domain category:

game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

move ((game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game)

start; starting (a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning))

innings (the batting turn of a cricket player or team)

attack (an offensive move in a sport or game)

down ((American football) a complete play to advance the football)

at-bat; bat ((baseball) a turn trying to get a hit)

lead (the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge)

ruff; trumping ((card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit)

trick ((card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An unforeseen development

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

turn; turn of events; twist

Context example:

events suddenly took an awkward turn

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

development (a recent event that has some relevance for the present situation)

Derivation:

turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

turn (undergo a change or development)

turn (pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A movement in a new direction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

turn; turning

Context example:

the turning of the wind

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

motion; movement (a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

reversal; turn around (turning in an opposite direction or position)

swerve; yaw (an erratic deflection from an intended course)

gyration; revolution; rotation (a single complete turn (axial or orbital))

coming back; return (the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction)

volution (a rolling or revolving motion)

Derivation:

turn (change to the contrary)

turn (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense)

turn (pass to the other side of)

turn (cause to move around or rotate)

Sense 6

Meaning:

The act of turning away or in the opposite direction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

he made an abrupt turn away from her

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

change of direction; reorientation (the act of changing the direction in which something is oriented)

Derivation:

turn (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Turning or twisting around (in place)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

turn; twist

Context example:

with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

rotary motion; rotation (the act of rotating as if on an axis)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

twiddle (a series of small (usually idle) twists or turns)

Derivation:

turn (cause to move around or rotate)

Sense 8

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Synonyms:

go; spell; tour; turn

Context example:

a spell of work

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

duty period; shift; work shift (the time period during which you are at work)

Sense 9

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting time and temporal relations

Synonyms:

bout; round; turn

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

division; part; section (one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole)

Domain category:

athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

top; top of the inning (the first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat)

bottom; bottom of the inning (the second half of an inning; while the home team is at bat)

Holonyms ("turn" is a part of...):

period of play; play; playing period ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)

Sense 10

Meaning:

A short performance that is part of a longer program

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

act; bit; number; routine; turn

Context example:

it was one of the best numbers he ever did

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

performance; public presentation (a dramatic or musical entertainment)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):

show-stopper; showstopper; stopper (an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down)

Sense 11

Meaning:

A favor for someone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

good turn; turn

Context example:

he did me a good turn

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

favor; favour (an act of gracious kindness)

Sense 12

Meaning:

Taking a short walk out and back

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

we took a turn in the park

Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):

walk (the act of walking somewhere)

• TURN (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Verb group:

turn (cause to move around or rotate)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

twist (turn in the opposite direction)

flip; flip over; turn over (turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse)

turn on a dime (have a small turning radius)

roll; turn over (move by turning over or rotating)

roll over (make a rolling motion or turn)

swing about; swing around; turn around (turn abruptly and face the other way, either physically or metaphorically)

flip; toss (lightly throw to see which side comes up)

port (turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship)

face (turn so as to face; turn the face in a certain direction)

turn off (make a turn)

turn away (move so as not face somebody or something)

gee (turn to the right side)

about-face (turn, usually 180 degrees)

caracole (make a half turn on a horse, in dressage)

corner (turn a corner)

overturn; tip over; tump over; turn over (turn from an upright or normal position)

bend (change direction)

curve; cut; sheer; slew; slue; swerve; trend; veer (turn sharply; change direction abruptly)

deflect (turn aside and away from an initial or intended course)

bend; deflect; turn away (turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest)

avert; turn away (turn away or aside)

rotate; splay; spread out; turn out (turn outward)

circumvolve; rotate (cause to turn on an axis or center)

pivot; swivel (turn on a pivot)

coil; gyrate; spiral (to wind or move in a spiral course)

corkscrew; spiral (move in a spiral or zigzag course)

deviate; divert (turn aside; turn away from)

pronate (turn the forearm or the hand so that the palm is directed downwards)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sentence example:

They turn the car down the avenue

Also:

turn to (speak to)

turn back (retrace one's course)

turn away (turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest)

Derivation:

turn (a movement in a new direction)

turn (the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course)

turn (the act of turning away or in the opposite direction)

turning (the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course)

turning (a movement in a new direction)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Undergo a transformation or a change of position or action

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

change state; turn

Context example:

The people turned against the President when he stole the election

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Verb group:

grow; turn (pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become)

become; turn (undergo a change or development)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

arouse; awake; awaken; come alive; wake; wake up; waken (stop sleeping)

black out; pass out; zonk out (lose consciousness due to a sudden trauma, for example)

come to; resuscitate; revive (return to consciousness)

tense; tense up (become tense, nervous, or uneasy)

decompress; loosen up; relax; slow down; unbend; unwind (become less tense, rest, or take one's ease)

melt off; reduce; slenderize; slim; slim down; thin (take off weight)

gain; put on (increase (one's body weight))

apparel; clothe; dress; enclothe; fit out; garb; garment; habilitate; raiment; tog (provide with clothes or put clothes on)

cross-fertilise; cross-fertilize (undergo cross-fertilization; become fertile)

conceive (become pregnant; undergo conception)

secularise; secularize (make secular and draw away from a religious orientation)

citrate (cause to form a salt or ester of citric acid)

equilibrate (bring to a chemical stasis or equilibrium)

fall (pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind)

become; get; go (enter or assume a certain state or condition)

decline; worsen (grow worse)

ameliorate; better; improve; meliorate (get better)

disengage (become free)

overgrow (become overgrown)

concentrate (make denser, stronger, or purer)

break (crack; of the male voice in puberty)

acetify; acidify (turn acidic)

alkalify; alkalise; alkalize; basify (turn basic and less acidic)

ionise; ionize (convert into ions)

ossify (become bony)

catalyse; catalyze (change by catalysis or cause to catalyze)

get worse; relapse (deteriorate in health)

fluctuate (be unstable)

break loose; burst forth; explode (be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise)

buy the farm; cash in one's chips; choke; conk; croak; decease; die; drop dead; exit; expire; give-up the ghost; go; kick the bucket; pass; pass away; perish; pop off; snuff it (pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life)

be born (come into existence through birth)

cloud over (become overcast)

carbonise; carbonize (turn into carbon, as by burning)

chill; cool; cool down (loose heat)

heat; heat up; hot up (gain heat or get hot)

carbonise; carbonize; carburise; carburize (unite with carbon)

freeze (change to ice)

boil (come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor)

burn; combust (undergo combustion)

emaciate (grow weak and thin or waste away physically)

Frenchify (become French in appearance or character)

thin (lose thickness; become thin or thinner)

inspissate; thicken (become thick or thicker)

solvate (undergo solvation or convert into a solvate)

react (undergo a chemical reaction; react with another substance under certain conditions)

dissolve; fade away; fade out (become weaker)

discharge; empty (become empty or void of its content)

fill; fill up (become full)

homogenise; homogenize (become homogeneous or similar, as by mixing)

homogenise; homogenize (break up the fat globules of)

clabber; clot; curdle (turn into curds)

clot; coagulate (change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state)

ferment; sour; turn; work (go sour or spoil)

integrate (become one; become integrated)

precipitate (separate as a fine suspension of solid particles)

calcify (turn into lime; become calcified)

coke (become coke)

carnify (become muscular or fleshy)

chondrify (turn into cartilage)

emulsify (form into or become an emulsion)

denitrify (remove nitrogen from)

esterify (change (a compound) into an ester)

etherify (change into an ether)

thrombose (become blocked by a thrombus)

open; open up (become open)

close; shut (become closed)

sorb; take up (take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption)

calm; calm down; chill out; cool it; cool off; settle down; simmer down (become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation)

flourish; fly high; prosper; thrive (make steady progress; be at the high point in one's career or reach a high point in historical significance or importance)

emancipate; liberate (give equal rights to; of women and minorities)

get into; tangle with (get involved in or with)

liquefy (become liquid)

catch fire; combust; conflagrate; erupt; ignite; take fire (start to burn or burst into flames)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Also:

turn around (improve significantly; go from bad to good)

turn off (cause to feel intense dislike or distaste)

Derivation:

turning (act of changing in practice or custom)

turn (an unforeseen development)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Undergo a change or development

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Synonyms:

become; turn

Context example:

He turned traitor

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

metamorphose; transform; transmute (change in outward structure or looks)

Verb group:

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

turn (cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

boil down; come down; reduce (be the essential element)

choke; suffocate (become stultified, suppressed, or stifled)

nucleate (form into a nucleus)

add up; amount; come (develop into)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

turn (an unforeseen development)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Cause to move around or rotate

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

turn your palm this way

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

displace; move (cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)

Verb group:

turn (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense)

turn (cause to move along an axis or into a new direction)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

reorient (cause to turn)

supinate (turn (the hand or forearm) so that the back is downward or backward, or turn out (the leg))

port (put or turn on the left side, of a ship)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

turn (turning or twisting around (in place))

turn (a movement in a new direction)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Change to the contrary

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

change by reversal; reverse; turn

Context example:

public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

alternate; flip; flip-flop; interchange; switch; tack (reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action))

turn the tables; turn the tide (cause a complete reversal of the circumstances)

commutate (reverse the direction of (an alternating electric current) each half cycle so as to produce a unidirectional current)

exchange; switch; switch over (change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence)

correct; rectify; right (make right or correct)

falsify (falsify knowingly)

commute; permute; transpose (change the order or arrangement of)

metamorphose; transfigure; transmogrify (change completely the nature or appearance of)

regress; retrovert; return; revert; turn back (go back to a previous state)

desynchronise; desynchronize (cause to become desynchronized; cause to occur at unrelated times)

deconsecrate; desecrate; unhallow (remove the consecration from a person or an object)

undo (cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Also:

turn off (cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch)

turn on (cause to operate by flipping a switch)

Derivation:

turn (a movement in a new direction)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Pass to the other side of

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

move around; turn

Context example:

move around the obstacle

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

turn (a movement in a new direction)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

grow; turn

Context example:

She grew angry

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Verb group:

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

bald (grow bald; lose hair on one's head)

turn (change color)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Something ----s Adjective/Noun

Sentence example:

John will turn angry

Derivation:

turn (an unforeseen development)

Sense 8

Meaning:

Let (something) fall or spill from a container

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

release; turn

Context example:

turn the flour onto a plate

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

channel; channelise; channelize; transfer; transmit; transport (send from one person or place to another)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

deflate (release contained air or gas from)

throw (throw (a die) out onto a flat surface)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 9

Meaning:

Move around an axis or a center

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

The wheels are turning

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

go around; revolve; rotate (turn on or around an axis or a center)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 10

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

turn; turn over

Context example:

turn a page of a book

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

displace; move (cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

evert (turn inside out; turn the inner surface of outward)

leaf (turn over pages)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

They turn the coin

Derivation:

turner (cooking utensil having a flat flexible part and a long handle; used for turning or serving food)

Sense 11

Meaning:

To send or let go

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

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

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

direct; send (cause to go somewhere)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 12

Meaning:

To break and turn over earth especially with a plow

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

plough; plow; turn

Context example:

turn the earth in the Spring

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

till (work land as by ploughing, harrowing, and manuring, in order to make it ready for cultivation)

"Turn" entails doing...:

cut into; delve; dig; turn over (turn up, loosen, or remove earth)

Domain category:

agriculture; farming; husbandry (the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

ridge (plough alternate strips by throwing the furrow onto an unploughed strip)

disk; harrow (draw a harrow over (land))

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sense 13

Meaning:

Shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

turn the clay on the wheel

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

form; shape (give shape or form to)

Verb group:

turn (accomplish by rotating)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

The girls turn the wooden sticks

Derivation:

turner (a lathe operator)

turnery (products made on a lathe)

turnery (workshop where objects are made on a lathe)

Sense 14

Meaning:

Change color

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

In Vermont, the leaves turn early

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

grow; turn (pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become)

color; colour; discolor; discolour (change color, often in an undesired manner)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 15

Meaning:

Twist suddenly so as to sprain

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

rick; sprain; turn; twist; wrench; wrick

Context example:

I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

injure; wound (cause injuries or bodily harm to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Did he turn his foot?

Sense 16

Meaning:

Cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Verb group:

become; turn (undergo a change or development)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 17

Meaning:

Accomplish by rotating

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

turn cartwheels

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

do; perform (get (something) done)

Verb group:

turn (shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

turner (a tumbler who is a member of a turnverein)

Sense 18

Meaning:

Get by buying and selling

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Context example:

the company turned a good profit after a year

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

acquire; get (come into the possession of something concrete or abstract)

Domain category:

commerce; commercialism; mercantilism (transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 19

Meaning:

Cause to move along an axis or into a new direction

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

turn your dance partner around

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

displace; move (cause to move or shift into a new position or place, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)

Verb group:

turn (cause to move around or rotate)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

bring about (cause to move into the opposite direction)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 20

Meaning:

Channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

direct; send (cause to go somewhere)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

take up (turn one's interest to)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 21

Meaning:

Cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

bend; deform; flex; turn; twist

Context example:

the strong man could turn an iron bar

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

change form; change shape; deform (assume a different shape or form)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):

dent; indent (make a depression into)

incurvate (cause to curve inward)

gnarl (twist into a state of deformity)

crank (bend into the shape of a crank)

convolute; convolve (curl, wind, or twist together)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 22

Meaning:

Alter the functioning or setting of

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

turn the heat down

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

control; operate (handle and cause to function)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 23

Meaning:

Direct at someone

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

They turned their flashlights on the car

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

aim; direct; take; take aim; train (point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 24

Meaning:

Have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

call on; turn

Context example:

She turned to her relatives for help

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

appeal; invoke (request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE

Sense 25

Meaning:

Go sour or spoil

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

ferment; sour; turn; work

Context example:

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

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)

Verb group:

ferment; work (cause to undergo fermentation)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 26

Meaning:

Become officially one year older

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

She is turning 50 this year

Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):

age; get on; maturate; mature; senesce (grow old or older)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

 Context examples 

Nothing, as things turned out, but everything had they gone another way.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Oh, it wasn't that," she hastened to explain, in turn.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"Scold as much as you like, you'll never see your silly old book again," cried Amy, getting excited in her turn.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

“Then to what end?” he demanded abruptly, turning back to me.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I had sat for about twenty minutes turning the thing over in my mind and trying to find some possible explanation.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I asked you as soon as I came into the room, and I was just going to ask you again, but when I turned round, you were gone!

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Researchers have found a way to use a thin membrane to turn Australian-made hydrogen into ammonia.

(Cars Powered by New Fuel Type Tested in Australia, VOA)

It turns on a gene that may help stop the growth of skin cancer cells.

(Avage, NCI Dictionary)

Before they saw the cause, the two men saw him turn and start to run back toward them.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

It suddenly occurred to her: “Who knows? They are perhaps not coming at all, and have turned in somewhere.”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)