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

Additional perks include nightly turndown service, access to a private swimming pool, priority reservations for restaurants, and a one-hour hydrotherapy session. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2024

This year’s deficit resulted from a massive overestimate of revenues by Newsom’s administration in 2022, rather than an economic turndown, and some critics have complained that misusing reserves this year could leave them unable to cope with a recession. —Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2024

Adjective

Room service can be easily ordered via your in-room tablet, and there is nightly turndown service. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2023

Verb

Spring/Summer 2006: After turning down the Red Sox, Blackmon returns to Young Harris and again pitches well, with 89 Ks and a 3.39 ERA to help lead the Mountain Lions to another GJCAA state title. —Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 27 Sep. 2024

The other members commissioned some non-dancing video content, which Farrell turned down. —Chris Willman, Variety, 26 Sep. 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