turner
Turner (noun) means a person who shapes wood or other material on a lathe. Example: “The turner carved an elegant chair leg from a block of oak.”
How to Use Turner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who works a lathe to shape wood or metal, or, in the kitchen, the flat spatula used to flip food.
Word Forms
turners plural, turners plural, turners plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ carved an elegant chair leg from a block of oak.
Etymology
From Middle English turner or Old French torneour, meaning "one who fashions something by turning" — related to "turn" plus the agent suffix "-er."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for turner
See all rhymes for turner →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “turner” mean?
The word “turner” means a person who shapes wood or other material on a lathe. In plain terms, someone who works a lathe to shape wood or metal, or, in the kitchen, the flat spatula used to flip food.
How do you pronounce “turner”?
“Turner” is pronounced TUR-nuh (/ˈtɝ.nɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “turner” in a sentence?
Here is “turner” used in a sentence: “The turner carved an elegant chair leg from a block of oak.”
What part of speech is “turner”?
“Turner” is a noun.
Where does the word “turner” come from?
The word “turner” comes from Old French. From Middle English turner or Old French torneour, meaning "one who fashions something by turning" — related to "turn" plus the agent suffix "-er.".
Is “turner” a common word?
“Turner” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “turner” have?
“Turner” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who shapes wood or other material on a lathe.
What is the difference between a "turner" and a "spatula"?
A "turner" is a flat kitchen tool used specifically for flipping food while cooking, typically with a broad, thin, slotted blade. A "spatula" is a broader term that can also mean a flexible tool for spreading or scraping, so all turners are loosely called spatulas but not every spatula is a turner.
Why is "turner" both a job and a kitchen tool?
"Turner" comes from the verb "turn" and applies wherever the action of turning is central. A lathe worker is a turner because the material turns as it is shaped, while the kitchen turner is named for the way it turns food over during cooking.