turned; turning; turns
1
a
: to cause to move around an axis or a center : make rotate or revolve
turn a wheel
turn a crank
b(1)
: to cause to move around so as to effect a desired end (as of locking, opening, or shutting)
turned the knob till the door opened
(2)
: to affect or alter the functioning of (something, such as a mechanical device) or the level of (something, such as sound) by such movement
turn the oven to 400°
turn the music to full volume
c
: to execute or perform by rotating or revolving
turn handsprings
d
: to twist out of line or shape : wrench
had turned his ankle
2
a(1)
: to cause to change position by moving through an arc of a circle
turned her chair to the fire
(2)
: to cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
turn the page
(3)
: to cause (a scale) to move so as to register weight
b
: to revolve mentally : think over : ponder
3
a
: to reverse the sides or surfaces of : invert
turn pancakes
turn the shirt inside out
: such as
(1)
: to dig or plow so as to bring the lower soil to the surface
turn the compost weekly
(2)
: to make (a garment) over by reversing the material and resewing
turn a collar
(3)
: to invert (something, such as a character, rule, or slug) feet up and face down in setting type
b
: to reverse or upset the order or disposition of
everything was turned topsy-turvy
c
: to disturb or upset the mental balance of
a mind turned by grief
d
: to set in another especially contrary direction
4
5
a(1)
: to direct or point (something, such as the face) in a specified way or direction
(2)
: to present by a change in direction or position
turning his back to his guests
b
: to direct (something, such as the attention or mind) toward or away from something
d(1)
: to cause to rebound or recoil
turns their argument against them
(2)
: to make antagonistic : prejudice
turn a child against its mother
f
: to bring to bear (as by aiming, pointing, or focusing) : train
turned the light into the dark doorway
turned a questioning eye toward her
6
a(1)
: to make acid or sour
(2)
: to change the color of (foliage)
(2)
c
: to cause to become of a specified nature or appearance
turned him into a frog
embarrassment turned her face red
d
: to exchange for something else
turn coins into paper money
e
: to cause to defect to another side
7
a
: to shape especially in a rounded form by applying a cutting tool while revolving in a lathe
b
: to give a rounded form to by any means
turn the heel of a sock
c
: to shape or mold artistically, gracefully, or neatly
a well turned phrase
8
9
a
: to gain in the course of business
turning a quick profit
b
: to keep (money, goods, etc.) moving
specifically
: to dispose of (a stock) to make room for another
c
: to make use of
turned her education to advantage
d
: to carry to completion : pull off
turned a double play
turn a deal
10
informal
: to engage in (a sex act as a sex worker)
turning tricks [=taking payment for performing sex acts]
1
a
: to move around on an axis or through an arc of a circle : rotate
b(1)
: to become focused on something specified
the conversation turned to baseball
(2)
: to have as a decisive factor : hinge
the argument turns on a point of logic
the outcome of the game turned on an interception
(3)
: to have a center (as of interest) in something specified
the discussion turned on the overall worth of the project
c
: to become giddy or dizzy : spin
heights always made his head turn
2
a
: to direct one's course
b(1)
: to reverse a course or direction
the tide has turned
(2)
: to have a reactive usually adverse effect
c
: to take a different course or direction
turned toward home
the main road turns sharply to the right
3
a
: to change position (as of one's head) so as to face another way
everyone turned to stare
b
: to face toward or away from someone or something
flowers turn toward the light
c
: to change one's attitude or reverse one's course of action to one of opposition or hostility
felt the world had turned against him
d
: to make a sudden violent assault especially without evident cause
dogs turning on their owners
4
a
: to direct one's attention to or away from someone or something
c
: to direct one's efforts or activity : devote or apply oneself
turned to the study of the law
turned to a life of crime
d(1)
: to change one's religion
(2)
: to go over to another side or party : defect
5
a
: to become changed, altered, or transformed
the weather turned
: such as
(1)
: to change color
the leaves have turned
(2)
: to become sour, rancid, or tainted
the milk had turned
(3)
: to be variable or inconstant
(4)
: to become mentally unbalanced
(5)
archaic
: to become different
b(1)
: to pass from one state to another : change
water had turned to ice
(3)
: to become someone or something specified by change from another state : change into
turn pro
doctors turned authors
(4)
: to change by the passage of time
days turned into weeks and months
6
: to become curved or bent (as from pressure)
especially
: to become blunted by bending
the edge of the knife had turned
7
: to operate a lathe
8
of merchandise
: to be stocked and disposed of : change hands
plural turns
1
a
: the action or an act of turning about a center or axis : revolution, rotation
b
: any of various rotating or pivoting movements in dancing or gymnastics
2
a
: the action or an act of giving or taking a different direction : change of course or posture
an illegal left turn
: such as
(1)
: a drill maneuver in which troops in mass formation change direction without preserving alignment
(2)
: any of various shifts of direction in skiing
(3)
: an interruption of a curve in figure skating
c
d
: the action or an act of turning so as to face in the opposite direction : reversal of posture or course
an about turn
the turn of the tide
e
: a change effected by turning over to another side
a turn of the cards
3
: an act or deed affecting another especially when incidental or unexpected
one good turn deserves another
4
a
: a place, time, or opportunity accorded an individual or unit of a series in simple succession or in a scheduled order
waiting her turn in line
see also take turns
c
: a period or tour of duty : shift
d
: a short act or piece (as for a variety show)
e(1)
: an event in any gambling game after which bets are settled
(2)
: the order of the last three cards in faro
—used in the phrase call the turn
5
a
: an act of changing : alteration, modification
a nasty turn in the weather
b
: a change in tendency, trend, or drift
hoped for a turn in his luck
a turn for the better
an unexpected turn of events
c
: the beginning of a new period of time : the time when one period changes to the next
the turn of the century
6
a
: a fashioning of language or arrangement of words : manner of expression
skillful turns of phrase
b
: distinctive quality or character
c
: the shape or mold in which something is fashioned : cast
7
: a short trip out and back or round about
took a turn through the park
8
: something that revolves around a center: such as
a(1)
: lathe
(2)
: a catch or latch for a cupboard or cabinet door operated by turning a handle
b
: a musical ornament consisting of a group of four or more notes that wind about the principal note by including the notes next above and next below
9
: a special purpose or requirement
—used chiefly in the phrase serve one's turn
10
a
: the state or manner of being coiled or twisted
b
: a single round (as of rope passed about an object or of wire wound on a core)
11
: natural or special ability or aptitude : bent, inclination
a turn for logic
an optimistic turn of mind
12
: a special twist, construction, or interpretation
gave the old yarn a new turn
13
a
: a disordering spell or attack (as of illness, faintness, or dizziness)
b
: a nervous start or shock
snuck up on her and gave her quite a turn
14
a
: a complete transaction involving a purchase and sale of securities
also
: a profit from such a transaction
15
: something turned or to be turned: such as
a
: a character or slug inverted in setting type
b
: a piece of type placed bottom up
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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