🔄 To rotate 🔀 To become different 🎯 To focus on 🔁 A chance to act ↩️ A change in direction 🚫 To refuse entry 🔃 A change in events 🍂 To change color 💰 To earn money 🎤 A short act 🪵 To shape by spinning 🤝 A favor 🥛 To spoil 🤕 To sprain 🚶 A short walk

turn

17 5.4

A short performance by one person in a show

noun
/tɜrn/

: número

You've always been backstage, now it's your turn in the spotlight.
give a burlesque turn

Examples

The magician's final turn left the audience in awe.
So, from the fan... turn, ball change, contract.

Step Up (2006)
All right, for my turn, you have to show me the worst imaginary friend.
Hers is a first novel, a debutante's first turn around the dance floor.

Academic text (1996)
My grandmother was enamored by him—his blue eyes, the turn of his accent, his diligence, and handiwork.

Fiction book (2001)
Her dramatic turn in the play earned her high praise from critics.
He delivered a captivating turn during the charity event, showcasing his unique talent.

Synonyms

performance

vsturn

838 2.7

A live show of a play, concert, or dance for an audience

is a brief slot within a longer show, not a full presentation

act

vsturn

442 1.8

A short performance by an entertainer or group in a show

refers to any brief slot within a longer entertainment programme

routine

vsturn

151 3.2

A short act in a show to entertain people

covers brief items in a programme, not only rehearsed pieces

number

vsturn

117 6.5

A short song or act performed in a show

emphasizes short slots in variety shows or theatre rather than musical pieces

bit

vsturn

105 4.6

A short often funny part of a show

means a brief slot inside a show, not necessarily comic or skit-like

star turn

vsturn

Literature

3 6.4

A very good performance by an actor or entertainer that gets special attention

refers to any short slot, not only outstanding or attention-grabbing ones

Idioms

in turn

235 3.3

Happening one after another or as a result of what happened before

at every turn

42 3.5

Again and again in every situation

to turn a blind eye

38 5.4

Choose to ignore something wrong

to turn the tables

25 3.9

To change a situation so you get the advantage over someone who had it before

to turn the other cheek

23 6.7

Choose not to fight back after someone hurts or insults you

to turn the corner

18 4.2

To begin to get better after a difficult time

to turn the tide

18 4.2

Cause a big change that makes things much better

to turn to stone

Literature

18 7.7

Become completely still and look like stone when frightened

to turn on someone's head

17 7.5

Completely change the usual idea about something

to turn back the clock

Informal

17 5.2

To go back to an earlier time or wish you could

to turn (something) on its head

Informal

15 6.5

Make people see something in a very different way

to turn into a circus

Informal

8 6.8

A situation that becomes noisy, messy, and out of control

to turn on a dime

Informal

6 7.2

To turn quickly in a very small space, like a car

to turn into a pumpkin

Informal

5 9.3

You have to go home or go to bed because it is very late

turn for the better

4 3.6

A change that makes a situation better

to turn a deaf ear

4 6.1

Refuse to listen to someone who gives advice or warnings

to turn a phrase

Informal

3 6.8

Say something in a clever, attractive way

to turn a trick

NSFW

2 9.9

To have sex with a customer for money

to turn on the waterworks

Informal

1 8.4

To start crying to make someone feel sorry for you

to turn a hair

1 9.8

Show no sign of worry, fear, or surprise

to turn a frown upside down

Informal

1 6.0

Help someone stop being sad and start smiling

turn of the screw

1 8.6

An event that makes a tense or difficult situation worse

to serve the turn

1 7.9

To be good enough for a purpose for a short time

to a turn

1 7.7

Exactly the right amount or degree needed

to turn on one's heel

1 7.4

To leave quickly by suddenly walking away because you are angry or shocked

to turn one's stomach

1 7.0

To make you feel sick or disgusted

to turn the scale

1 7.0

To give one side an advantage in a situation

to turn one's life around

1 4.0

To make big positive changes in your life after hard times

to execute a U-turn

Literature

1 5.3

Change a plan or decision so the opposite happens

to turn a nice dollar

Informal

7.8

Make a good amount of money from business or sales

to turn a nice penny

7.2

Make good money from a business or activity

to turn a number of shades of red

5.7

To become red in the face when you feel embarrassed

to turn into a shithouse

Offensive

9.9

To suddenly become chaotic and very messy

to turn in one's grave

Informal

8.6

To think a dead person is very upset because something goes against what they cared about

to turn one's coat

8.5

Change which person or group you support for your own benefit

to turn pain into lemonade

Informal

8.9

Make something good from pain or a bad situation

to turn the air blue

Offensive

9.9

To use swear words, often when angry

to turn the scale in one's favor

7.9

Make a situation end the way you want

to turn up on its ear

8.6

To change a situation completely and suddenly

to turn up one's nose

7.5

To show you think something is not good enough

turn up to bat

Informal

7.7

A chance to speak or act after others have had theirs

to turn with every wind

9.3

Change opinions often to fit new people or situations

wrong turn at Albuquerque

Informal

9.9

A big mistake that changes your plans or life

Compounds

turn of the century

55 3.9

A period of years around the start of a new century, about ten years before and after

u-turn

43 3.2

A complete turn to go the opposite way, like a car on the road

turn-on

NSFW

38 8.2

Something that makes someone feel sexually excited or attracted

turn of events

36 4.1

A sudden change in a situation that makes plans or results different

left turn

30 1.0

Moving a vehicle to the left while driving

turn-off

Informal

13 5.0

Something that makes a person lose interest or feel dislike

turn signal

10 2.5

A flashing light on a vehicle that shows which way the driver will turn or change lanes

turn of phrase

8 4.8

A clever way of saying something that people remember

good turn

5 2.2

An act of kindness done to help someone

star turn

Literature

3 6.4

A very good performance by an actor or entertainer that gets special attention

about turn

Jargon

1 5.8

A complete change of direction or opinion, often sudden

left turn

Literature

1 5.8

Changing policies or views toward more left-wing ideas

turn indicator

1 2.3

A blinking light on a car that shows which way it will turn

three-point turn

1 3.7

A driving move that turns a car around in a small space

kick turn

1 8.2

A skiing move where you lift one ski and turn to go the other way while standing

handbrake turn

1 6.8

A driving move where the driver pulls the handbrake so the rear wheels slide and the car turns sharply

ill turn

1 8.1

An action meant to help that causes harm or trouble

turn of expression

1 5.9

A special way of saying something when speaking or writing

stem turn

Jargon

1 8.2

A skiing turn where you push the tail of one ski out to slow and change direction

big turn-up

4.2

A large number of people who come to an event

ampere-turn

Specialized

7.3

A unit for magnet strength that one ampere of current produces in one loop of wire

handbrake turn

6.8

A sudden change of plans, policy, or behaviour

Hobbesian turn

Formal

9.9

A change to a more negative view of people as selfish and violent

Jesuitic turn

Slur

9.9

A clever but tricky argument meant to confuse people

How Long

feature

123 3.7

act

84 3.7

turn

17 5.4

bit

105 4.6

Surface Forms

turn singular

turns plural

Etymology

Turn for a short performance comes from the idea of having a time or round on stage, like 'it's your turn to perform', so a 'turn' on a show is your short act.