turn
turn
Turn (verb) means to move or rotate around an axis, or to change direction. Example: “Turn left at the next intersection.”
verb
1
To move or rotate around an axis, or to change direction.
"Turn left at the next intersection."
"The dancer turned gracefully in a full circle."
"Please turn the handle slowly until you hear a click."
2
To become or change into something else.
"The leaves turn red and gold in October."
"Milk turns sour if it's left out too long."
"Her hair began to turn grey when she was in her thirties."
noun
1
A person's chance or opportunity in a sequence, such as in a game or rota.
"Wait your turn before you speak."
"It's finally my turn to pick the movie."
"Whose turn is it to wash up tonight?"
2
A change in direction or course.
"The car made a sharp turn to avoid the pothole."
"The conversation took an odd turn when he mentioned his plans."
"At the end of the lane, a sudden turn led down to the river."
How to use turn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe basic idea is changing direction or state — physically rotating, changing into something different, or taking your allotted moment in a sequence.
Common pairings
take turns
turn around
turn into
in turn
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Word forms
- Plural
- turns
- Third person singular
- turns
- Past tense
- turned, turnt
- Archaic forms
- turnest, turnedst, turneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ left at the next intersection.
Etymology
From Old English turnian and Old French torner, both ultimately from Latin tornare, "to round off on a lathe," from tornus, "lathe."
Related words
Rhymes for turn
See all rhymes for turn →Frequently asked questions
What does “turn” mean?
The word “turn” means to move or rotate around an axis, or to change direction. In plain terms, the basic idea is changing direction or state — physically rotating, changing into something different, or taking your allotted moment in a sequence.
How do you pronounce “turn”?
“Turn” is pronounced turn (/tɜɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “turn” in a sentence?
Here is “turn” used in a sentence: “Turn left at the next intersection.”
What is another word for “turn”?
Words with a similar meaning to “turn” include lathe, complete, 360° turn, complete rotation, complete turn and full rotation.
What part of speech is “turn”?
Depending on how it is used, “turn” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “turn” come from?
The word “turn” comes from Latin. From Old English turnian and Old French torner, both ultimately from Latin tornare, "to round off on a lathe," from tornus, "lathe.".
Is “turn” a common word?
“Turn” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “turn” have?
“Turn” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move or rotate around an axis, or to change direction.
What is the difference between turn and rotate?
To turn is broad — it can mean to change direction or to move around an axis, as in turning a corner or turning a key. To rotate is more specific and technical, meaning to spin around a central point or axis. Everything that rotates turns, but you can turn without fully rotating.
What is the difference between turn and spin?
Both involve rotation, but spin suggests fast, continuous, repeated turning around an axis, like a spinning top or wheel. Turn is gentler and often means a single, controlled movement or a change of direction. You turn a page once, whereas a coin spins several times before it lands.
Is 'turn' a transitive or intransitive verb?
It can be both. Used transitively, it takes an object — 'she turned the handle.' Used intransitively, it stands alone — 'the wheel turns' or 'we turned left.' This flexibility lets turn describe both making something move and something moving by itself, which is why it appears in so many everyday phrases.
What is an example of 'turn' as a verb?
You can turn in the sense of changing direction — 'turn left at the lights' — or of rotating something — 'turn the key' or 'the Earth turns on its axis.' It also works figuratively, as in 'the conversation turned to money' or 'the weather turned cold,' meaning a shift or change.
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