noun
Common
turner
TUR-nuh
Turner (noun) means a person who shapes wood or other material on a lathe. Example: “A skilled turner can make a perfectly smooth bowl from a rough log.”
noun
1
A person who shapes wood or other material on a lathe.
"A skilled turner can make a perfectly smooth bowl from a rough log."
"The village turner sold wooden table legs and handles from his small workshop."
"The turner carved an elegant chair leg from a block of oak."
2
A flat kitchen tool used for flipping food while cooking.
"Pass me the turner so I can lift the fried eggs out of the pan."
"He slid the metal turner under the burger and flipped it over."
"She used a turner to flip the pancakes without breaking them."
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.
Common pairings
wood turner
spatula turner
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Word forms
- Plural
- turners
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A skilled _____ can make a perfectly smooth bowl from a rough log.
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.
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