noun
Common
turnover
TNOHV
Turnover (noun) means the total amount of money a business takes in sales over a given period. Example: “The company reported an annual turnover of two million pounds.”
noun
1
The total amount of money a business takes in sales over a given period.
"The company reported an annual turnover of two million pounds."
"The bakery's turnover rose steadily once it started selling online."
"Although the shop has a high turnover, its profit margin is quite small."
2
The rate at which staff, stock, or customers are replaced.
"Staff turnover has been unusually high this year."
"Good pay and friendly managers help keep staff turnover low at our hospital."
"The shop has a fast turnover of stock, so the shelves are refilled daily."
3
A small folded pastry filled with fruit or another filling.
"She baked an apple turnover for dessert."
"We ate warm cherry turnovers from the bakery while walking along the seafront."
"Would you like a spinach turnover or a sausage roll with your soup?"
4
In sports, a loss of possession of the ball without scoring.
"The turnover in the final minute cost them the game."
"Their sloppy turnover near the halfway line gave the opposition an easy chance."
"The coach shouted at the players to avoid another turnover in their own half."
How to use turnover
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow much money a business makes in sales, or how often staff/stock change over — also a folded fruit pastry.
Common mistake
Turnover (total sales) is not the same as profit — a business can have huge turnover and still lose money.
Common pairings
annual turnover
staff turnover
apple turnover
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Word forms
- Plural
- turnovers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company reported an annual _____ of two million pounds.
Etymology
From the phrasal verb "turn over", used as a noun for business activity, staff changes, or a pastry folded over itself.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for turnover
See all rhymes for turnover →Frequently asked questions
What does “turnover” mean?
The word “turnover” means the total amount of money a business takes in sales over a given period. In plain terms, how much money a business makes in sales, or how often staff/stock change over — also a folded fruit pastry.
How do you pronounce “turnover”?
“Turnover” is pronounced TNOHV (/ˈtɝnoʊvɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “turnover” in a sentence?
Here is “turnover” used in a sentence: “The company reported an annual turnover of two million pounds.”
What part of speech is “turnover”?
“Turnover” is a noun.
Is “turnover” a common word?
“Turnover” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “turnover” have?
“Turnover” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the total amount of money a business takes in sales over a given period.
What is the difference between "turnover" and "revenue"?
"Turnover" and "revenue" both refer to the total amount of money a business takes in sales over a given period, and the terms are often used interchangeably, though "turnover" is more common in British business usage. Neither term accounts for costs, unlike profit.
What is a turnover in sports?
In sports, a turnover is a loss of possession of the ball without scoring, such as an interception or fumble in football or a steal in basketball. It typically hands the opposing team a scoring opportunity.
Is a turnover the same as a pie?
Not quite. A turnover is a small folded pastry filled with fruit or another filling, made by folding a single piece of dough over the filling, whereas a pie usually has a separate base and top and is baked in a dish.
