Dictionary entry details
• TURN (noun)
Meaning:
A circular segment of a curve
Classified under:
Nouns denoting two and three dimensional shapes
Synonyms:
turn; bend; crook; twist
Context examples:
a bend in the road / a crook in the path
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
curve; curved shape (the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
bight (a bend or curve (especially in a coastline))
Meaning:
The act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
turning; turn
Context example:
he took a turn to the right
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
change of course (a change in the direction that you are moving)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
version (manual turning of a fetus in the uterus (usually to aid delivery))
three-point turn (the act of turning a vehicle around in a limited space by moving in a series of back and forward arcs)
swerve; swerving; veering (the act of turning aside suddenly)
telemark (a turn made in skiing; the outside ski is placed ahead and turned gradually inwards)
stem; stem turn (a turn made in skiing; the back of one ski is forced outward and the other ski is brought parallel to it)
kick turn (a standing turn made in skiing; one ski is raised to the vertical and pivoted backward to become parallel with the other ski but headed in the opposite direction and then the other ski is aligned with the first)
left (a turn toward the side of the body that is on the north when the person is facing east)
right (a turn toward the side of the body that is on the south when the person is facing east)
deflection; deflexion; deviation; digression; divagation; diversion (a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern))
Meaning:
(game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
turn; play
Context examples:
it is my turn / it is still my play
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
activity (any specific behavior)
Domain category:
game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
trick ((card games) in a single round, the sequence of cards played by all the players; the high card is the winner)
ruff; trumping ((card games) the act of taking a trick with a trump when unable to follow suit)
lead (the playing of a card to start a trick in bridge)
at-bat; bat ((baseball) a turn trying to get a hit)
down ((American football) a complete play to advance the football)
attack (an offensive move in a sport or game)
innings (the batting turn of a cricket player or team)
start; starting (a turn to be a starter (in a game at the beginning))
move ((game) a player's turn to take some action permitted by the rules of the game)
Meaning:
An unforeseen development
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
turn of events; twist; turn
Context example:
events suddenly took an awkward turn
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
development (a recent event that has some relevance for the present situation)
Meaning:
A movement in a new direction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural events
Synonyms:
turning; turn
Context example:
the turning of the wind
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
motion; movement (a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
coming back; return (the occurrence of a change in direction back in the opposite direction)
gyration; revolution; rotation (a single complete turn (axial or orbital))
swerve; yaw (an erratic deflection from an intended course)
reversal; turn around (turning in an opposite direction or position)
volution (a rolling or revolving motion)
Meaning:
The act of turning away or in the opposite direction
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Context example:
he made an abrupt turn away from her
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
change of direction; reorientation (the act of changing the direction in which something is oriented)
Meaning:
Turning or twisting around (in place)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
turn; twist
Context example:
with a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
rotary motion; rotation (the act of rotating as if on an axis)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
twiddle (a series of small (usually idle) twists or turns)
Meaning:
A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Synonyms:
go; spell; tour; turn
Context examples:
it's my go / a spell of work
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
duty period; shift; work shift (the time period during which you are at work)
Meaning:
(sports) a period of play during which one team is on the offensive
Classified under:
Nouns denoting time and temporal relations
Synonyms:
bout; round; turn
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
period of play; play; playing period ((in games or plays or other performances) the time during which play proceeds)
Domain category:
athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
top; top of the inning (the first half of an inning; while the visiting team is at bat)
bottom; bottom of the inning (the second half of an inning; while the home team is at bat)
Meaning:
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
routine; number; act; bit; turn
Context examples:
he did his act three times every evening / she had a catchy little routine / it was one of the best numbers he ever did
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
performance; public presentation (a dramatic or musical entertainment)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "turn"):
show-stopper; showstopper; stopper (an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down)
Meaning:
A favor for someone
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
good turn; turn
Context example:
he did me a good turn
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
favor; favour (an act of gracious kindness)
Meaning:
Taking a short walk out and back
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Context example:
we took a turn in the park
Hypernyms ("turn" is a kind of...):
walk (the act of walking somewhere)
• TURN (verb)
Meaning:
Change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context examples:
Turn towards me / The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face / She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
overturn; tip over; tump over; turn over (turn from an upright or normal position)
bend (change direction)
curve; cut; sheer; slew; slue; swerve; trend; veer (turn sharply; change direction abruptly)
deflect (turn aside and away from an initial or intended course)
bend; deflect; turn away (turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of interest)
avert; turn away (turn away or aside)
rotate; splay; spread out; turn out (turn outward)
circumvolve; rotate (cause to turn on an axis or center)
pivot; swivel (turn on a pivot)
coil; gyrate; spiral (to wind or move in a spiral course)
corkscrew; spiral (move in a spiral or zigzag course)
deviate; divert (turn aside; turn away from)
pronate (turn the forearm or the hand so that the palm is directed downwards)
corner (turn a corner)
caracole (make a half turn on a horse, in dressage)
twist (turn in the opposite direction)
flip; flip over; turn over (turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse)
turn on a dime (have a small turning radius)
roll; turn over (move by turning over or rotating)
roll over (make a rolling motion or turn)
swing about; swing around; turn around (turn abruptly and face the other way, either physically or metaphorically)
flip; toss (lightly throw to see which side comes up)
port (turn or go to the port or left side, of a ship)
about-face (turn, usually 180 degrees)
gee (turn to the right side)
turn away (move so as not face somebody or something)
turn off (make a turn)
face (turn so as to face; turn the face in a certain direction)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Sentence example:
They turn the car down the avenue
Also:
turn away (turn from a straight course , fixed direction, or line of interest)
turn back (retrace one's course)
turn to (speak to)
Meaning:
Undergo a change or development
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
become; turn
Context examples:
The water turned into ice / Her former friend became her worst enemy / He turned traitor
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
metamorphose; transform; transmute (change in outward structure or looks)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
boil down; come down; reduce (be the essential element)
choke; suffocate (become stultified, suppressed, or stifled)
nucleate (form into a nucleus)
add up; amount; come (develop into)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Undergo a transformation or a change of position or action
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
change state; turn
Context examples:
We turned from Socialism to Capitalism / The people turned against the President when he stole the election
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
fill; fill up (become full)
homogenise; homogenize (become homogeneous or similar, as by mixing)
homogenise; homogenize (break up the fat globules of)
clabber; clot; curdle (turn into curds)
clot; coagulate (change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state)
ferment; sour; turn; work (go sour or spoil)
integrate (become one; become integrated)
discharge; empty (become empty or void of its content)
dissolve; fade away; fade out (become weaker)
react (undergo a chemical reaction; react with another substance under certain conditions)
solvate (undergo solvation or convert into a solvate)
inspissate; thicken (become thick or thicker)
thin (lose thickness; become thin or thinner)
Frenchify (become French in appearance or character)
emaciate (grow weak and thin or waste away physically)
burn; combust (undergo combustion)
boil (come to the boiling point and change from a liquid to vapor)
precipitate (separate as a fine suspension of solid particles)
calcify (turn into lime; become calcified)
liquefy (become liquid)
get into; tangle with (get involved in or with)
emancipate; liberate (give equal rights to; of women and minorities)
flourish; fly high; prosper; thrive (gain in wealth)
calm; calm down; chill out; cool it; cool off; settle down; simmer down (become quiet or calm, especially after a state of agitation)
sorb; take up (take up a liquid or a gas either by adsorption or by absorption)
close; shut (become closed)
open; open up (become open)
thrombose (become blocked by a thrombus)
etherify (change into an ether)
esterify (change (a compound) into an ester)
denitrify (remove nitrogen from)
emulsify (form into or become an emulsion)
chondrify (turn into cartilage)
carnify (become muscular or fleshy)
coke (become coke)
catch fire; combust; conflagrate; erupt; ignite; take fire (start to burn or burst into flames)
freeze (change to ice)
arouse; awake; awaken; come alive; wake; wake up; waken (stop sleeping)
ameliorate; better; improve; meliorate (get better)
decline; worsen (grow worse)
become; get; go (enter or assume a certain state or condition)
fall (pass suddenly and passively into a state of body or mind)
equilibrate (bring to a chemical stasis or equilibrium)
citrate (cause to form a salt or ester of citric acid)
secularise; secularize (make secular and draw away from a religious orientation)
conceive (become pregnant; undergo conception)
cross-fertilise; cross-fertilize (undergo cross-fertilization; become fertile)
apparel; clothe; dress; enclothe; fit out; garb; garment; habilitate; raiment; tog (provide with clothes or put clothes on)
gain; put on (increase (one's body weight))
lose weight; melt off; reduce; slenderize; slim; slim down; thin (take off weight)
decompress; loosen up; relax; slow down; unbend; unwind (become less tense, rest, or take one's ease)
tense; tense up (become tense, nervous, or uneasy)
come to; resuscitate; revive (return to consciousness)
black out; pass out; zonk out (lose consciousness due to a sudden trauma, for example)
disengage (become free)
overgrow (become overgrown)
carbonise; carbonize; carburise; carburize (unite with carbon)
heat; heat up; hot up (gain heat or get hot)
chill; cool; cool down (loose heat)
carbonise; carbonize (turn into carbon, as by burning)
cloud over (become overcast)
be born (come into existence through birth)
buy the farm; cash in one's chips; choke; conk; croak; decease; die; drop dead; exit; expire; give-up the ghost; go; kick the bucket; pass; pass away; perish; pop off; snuff it (pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life)
break loose; burst forth; explode (be unleashed; emerge with violence or noise)
fluctuate (be unstable)
get worse; relapse (deteriorate in health)
concentrate (make (the solvent of a solution) dense or denser)
break (crack; of the male voice in puberty)
acetify; acidify (turn acidic)
alkalify; alkalise; alkalize; basify (turn basic and less acidic)
ionise; ionize (convert into ions)
ossify (become bony)
catalyse; catalyze (change by catalysis or cause to catalyze)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Also:
turn around (get better)
turn off (cause to feel intense dislike or distaste)
Meaning:
Cause to move around or rotate
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context examples:
turn a key / turn your palm this way
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
displace; move (cause to move, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
port (put or turn on the left side, of a ship)
supinate (turn (the hand or forearm) so that the back is downward or backward, or turn out (the leg))
reorient (cause to turn)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
grow; turn
Context examples:
The weather turned nasty / She grew angry
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
bald (grow bald; lose hair on one's head)
turn (change color)
Sentence frames:
Something is ----ing PP
Something ----s something Adjective/Noun
Something ----s Adjective/Noun
Sentence example:
John will turn angry
Meaning:
To send or let go
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context example:
They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
direct; send (cause to go somewhere)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Pass to the other side of
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
move around; turn
Context examples:
turn the corner / move around the obstacle
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Move around an axis or a center
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context example:
The wheels are turning
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
move (move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
go around; revolve; rotate (turn on or around an axis or a center)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Meaning:
Cause to move around a center so as to show another side of
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Synonyms:
turn over; turn
Context example:
turn a page of a book
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
displace; move (cause to move, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
evert (turn inside out; turn the inner surface of outward)
leaf (turn over pages)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
They turn the coin
Meaning:
Change to the contrary
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
reverse; change by reversal; turn
Context examples:
The trend was reversed / the tides turned against him / public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
metamorphose; transfigure; transmogrify (change completely the nature or appearance of)
regress; retrovert; return; revert; turn back (go back to a previous state)
desynchronise; desynchronize (cause to become desynchronized; cause to occur at unrelated times)
deconsecrate; desecrate; unhallow (remove the consecration from a person or an object)
undo (cancel, annul, or reverse an action or its effect)
commute; permute; transpose (change the order or arrangement of)
falsify (falsify knowingly)
correct; rectify; right (make right or correct)
exchange; switch; switch over (change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence)
commutate (reverse the direction of (an alternating electric current) each half cycle so as to produce a unidirectional current)
turn the tables; turn the tide (cause a complete reversal of the circumstances)
alternate; flip; flip-flop; interchange; switch; tack (reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action))
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Also:
turn off (cause to stop operating by disengaging a switch)
turn on (cause to operate by flipping a switch)
Meaning:
To break and turn over earth especially with a plow
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Synonyms:
plow; plough; turn
Context examples:
Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week / turn the earth in the Spring
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
till (work land as by ploughing, harrowing, and manuring, in order to make it ready for cultivation)
"Turn" entails doing...:
cut into; delve; dig; turn over (turn up, loosen, or remove earth)
Domain category:
agriculture; farming; husbandry (the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
ridge (plough alternate strips by throwing the furrow onto an unploughed strip)
disk; harrow (draw a harrow over (land))
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Change color
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
In Vermont, the leaves turn early
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
grow; turn (pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become)
color; colour; discolor; discolour (change color, often in an undesired manner)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context examples:
The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him / The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Let (something) fall or spill a container
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
release; turn
Context example:
turn the flour onto a plate
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
channel; channelise; channelize; transfer; transmit; transport (send from one person or place to another)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
throw (throw (a die) out onto a flat surface)
deflate (release contained air or gas from)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something PP
Meaning:
Twist suddenly so as to sprain
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Synonyms:
sprain; wrick; rick; wrench; twist; turn
Context examples:
wrench one's ankle / The wrestler twisted his shoulder / the hikers sprained their ankles when they fell / I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
injure; wound (cause injuries or bodily harm to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
Did he turn his foot?
Meaning:
Shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context examples:
turn the legs of the table / turn the clay on the wheel
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
form; shape (give shape or form to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
The girls turn the wooden sticks
Meaning:
Go sour or spoil
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
sour; ferment; turn; work
Context examples:
The milk has soured / The wine worked / The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
change state; turn (undergo a transformation or a change of position or action)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Accomplish by rotating
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context examples:
turn a somersault / turn cartwheels
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
do; perform (get (something) done)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Get by buying and selling
Classified under:
Verbs of buying, selling, owning
Context example:
the company turned a good profit after a year
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
acquire; get (come into the possession of something concrete or abstract)
Domain category:
commerce; commercialism; mercantilism (transactions (sales and purchases) having the objective of supplying commodities (goods and services))
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Cause to move along an axis or into a new direction
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context examples:
turn your face to the wall / turn the car around / turn your dance partner around
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
displace; move (cause to move, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
bring about (cause to move into the opposite direction)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Context examples:
The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction / people turn to mysticism at the turn of a millennium
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
direct; send (cause to go somewhere)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
take up (turn one's interest to)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
twist; bend; deform; flex; turn
Context examples:
bend the rod / twist the dough into a braid / the strong man could turn an iron bar
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
change form; change shape; deform (assume a different shape or form)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "turn"):
dent; indent (make a depression into)
incurvate (cause to curve inward)
gnarl (twist into a state of deformity)
crank (bend into the shape of a crank)
convolute; convolve (curl, wind, or twist together)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Alter the functioning or setting of
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Context examples:
turn the dial to 10 / turn the heat down
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
control; operate (handle and cause to function)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Direct at someone
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Context examples:
She turned a smile on me / They turned their flashlights on the car
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
aim; direct; take; take aim; train (aim or direct at; as of blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Meaning:
Have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
call on; turn
Context examples:
She called on her Representative to help her / She turned to her relatives for help
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
appeal; invoke (request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody to INFINITIVE
Meaning:
Become officially one year older
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Context example:
She is turning 50 this year
Hypernyms (to "turn" is one way to...):
age; get on; maturate; mature; senesce (grow old or older)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
