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turn
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- pronunciation:
- tuhrn
- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- phrases:
- out of turn, take turns, turn down, turn over, turn up
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: |
verb |
inflections: |
turns, turning, turned |
definition 1: |
to cause to move around a center point.
Turn the key in the lock to open the door.- synonyms:
- pivot, rotate, wheel
- similar words:
- crank, move, roll, round, spin, swing, swirl, swivel, twirl, twist, whirl, wind
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definition 2: |
to cause to shift from one side to the other by moving in a circle.
She turned the plant toward the sun.- similar words:
- deviate, divert, roll, rotate, shift, swivel
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definition 3: |
to change the course or direction of.
Turn the car left.- synonyms:
- deflect
- similar words:
- angle, avert, bend, divert, swerve, tack
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definition 4: |
to change the position of by moving in a circle or by moving in reverse.
He turned his desk toward the window.- synonyms:
- reverse, shift
- similar words:
- avert, flip, invert, move, overturn, pivot, roll, rotate, swivel, tip
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definition 5: |
to change the nature, character, or color of.
The change of season turned the leaves many colors.- synonyms:
- change, convert, transform
- similar words:
- alter, modify
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definition 6: |
to cause to feel sick.
That scary movie turned my stomach.- similar words:
- sour, upset
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definition 7: |
to direct toward.
After music, she turned her attention to art.- synonyms:
- address
- similar words:
- apply, avert, dedicate, devote, direct, put
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definition 8: |
to send out, let go, or drive away.
He turned the cat out on the street.- similar words:
- boot, bounce, discharge, dismiss, drive, eject, expel, free, loose, oust, send
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definition 9: |
to cause to have a bad feeling about.
He turned the dog against me.- similar words:
- bias, influence, persuade, prejudice, set
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definition 10: |
to change one's direction.
At the next corner, you turn left.- synonyms:
- veer, wheel
- similar words:
- back, bear, bend, roll, swerve, twirl, twist, whirl
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definition 11: |
to change to a new state or condition.
His face turns red when he gets hot.This milk is turning sour.- similar words:
- alter, change
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definition 12: |
to make sour or ferment.
The warm weather turned the milk.- synonyms:
- ferment, sour
- similar words:
- curdle, spoil
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definition 13: |
to change in one's sense of loyalty or closeness with others.
He turned away from his friends.- similar words:
- desert, remove
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definition 14: |
to seek help or support from (followed by "to").
In times of trouble, he turns to me.- synonyms:
- look
- similar words:
- appeal, resort
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related words: |
alternate, become, cock, convert, curve, decompose, depend, go, reverse, revolve, rot, switch, toss, wind |
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part of speech: |
noun |
definition 1: |
the act of turning.
With a few turns of the dial, he opened the safe.- synonyms:
- revolution
- similar words:
- circuit, eddy, pivot, roll, serve, spin, twist, whirl, wind
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definition 2: |
a change of direction, position, or condition.
The truck made the turn at a slow speed.My life has been taking a turn for the better.- synonyms:
- movement, shift
- similar words:
- swerve, switch, twist
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definition 3: |
a complete revolution of a wheel or other round object.
Tighten the screw by giving it a few clockwise turns.- similar words:
- cycle, roll, round
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definition 4: |
an angle, bend, or curve.
There are many turns in the path.- synonyms:
- bend, curve, hook
- similar words:
- arc, arch, corner, crook, loop, oxbow, twist, warp, zigzag
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definition 5: |
a point in time that marks the beginning of a new or different period.
We had a party to celebrate the turn of the century.- similar words:
- crossroad, dawn
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definition 6: |
an action or service that is given.
She did him a good turn.- synonyms:
- service
- similar words:
- act, action, courtesy, deed, favor, harm, hurt, injury, kindness, wrong
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definition 7: |
a chance for an action to be done in a certain order.
It is your turn to do the dishes.- similar words:
- chance, crack, go, move, opportunity, say, shift, spell, time, try, whack
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definition 8: |
a short trip or tour.
We took a turn down the street.- synonyms:
- jaunt, ramble, spin, stroll, walk
- similar words:
- constitutional, drive, excursion, hike, promenade, ride, tramp
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related words: |
curve, wrench |
phrase: |
out of turn, take turns, turn down, turn over, turn up |
Turn comes from tornare, which means "to turn on a lathe." This Latin word comes from tornos, an ancient Greek word that meant "tool for drawing circles."
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