turndown

1 of 3

noun

turn·​down ˈtərn-ˌdau̇n 

1

: something turned down

also : an instance of turning something (such as a bed sheet) down

hotel turndown service

2

: rejection

3

: downturn

turndown

2 of 3

adjective

turn·​down ˈtərn-ˈdau̇n 

: capable of being turned down

especially : worn turned down

a turndown collar

turn down

3 of 3

verb

turned down; turning down; turns down

transitive verb

1

: to reduce the height or intensity of by turning a control

turn down the radio

2

: to fold or double down

3

: to decline to accept : reject

turned down the offer

4

: to turn (a card) face downward

intransitive verb

: to be capable of being folded or doubled down

the collar turns down

Synonyms

Noun

• declination
• denial
• disallowance
• nay
• no
• nonacceptance
• refusal
• rejection

Verb

• balk (at)
• decline
• deselect
• disapprove
• negative
• nix
• pass
• pass up
• refuse
• reject
• reprobate
• repudiate
• spurn
• throw out
• throw over

Examples of turndown in a Sentence

Noun

the request to use the restroom was just a formality—I really didn't expect a turndown

Verb

I'm afraid that I will have to turn down your invitation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The attention to detail at this hotel is off the charts—expect to have a copy of the newspaper and coffee (with your creamer of choice) at your door first thing in the morning, and a CBD/melatonin edible and tea at turndown service. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

With most parts of the muni bond market pretty strong from a credit perspective, Norton is trying to find yield that can also be resilient in an economic turndown. —Michelle Fox, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2024

Adjective

Every morning, a staff member delivers fresh coffee or hot tea to your door, and there's nightly turndown service as well. —Tomeka Jones, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2024

Visiting pets are offered a bed, nature videos to watch in the guest room, a welcome treat, and a turndown bone/treat at night. —Chip Bell, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024

Verb

The district then requested state partnership money to build a new school, but the Arkansas Department of Education facilities division turned down the request. —Lynn Kutter, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024

That same month, a long-shot bid from Missouri's attorney general to have the order removed was also turned down by the Supreme Court. —Katherine Fung, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1763, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Kids Definition

turn down

verb

1

: to fold back or down

2

: to lower by turning a control

turn down the heat

3

: reject entry 1 sense 1

turned down the job