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

turn

35 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

539 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

387 1.8

A short performance by an entertainer or group in a show

refers to any brief slot within a longer entertainment programme

number

vsturn

154 6.5

A short song or act performed in a show

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

routine

vsturn

92 3.2

A short act in a show to entertain people

covers brief items in a programme, not only rehearsed pieces

bit

vsturn

58 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

2 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

245 3.3

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

to turn a blind eye

41 5.4

Choose to ignore something wrong

at every turn

38 3.5

Again and again in every situation

to turn one's life around

33 4.0

To make big positive changes in your life after hard times

to turn the other cheek

20 6.7

Choose not to fight back after someone hurts or insults you

to turn the tables

20 3.9

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

to turn the tide

15 4.2

Cause a big change that makes things much better

to turn the corner

14 4.2

To begin to get better after a difficult time

to turn (something) on its head

Informal

12 6.5

Make people see something in a very different way

to turn a trick

NSFW

11 9.9

To have sex with a customer for money

to turn back the clock

Informal

11 5.2

To go back to an earlier time or wish you could

to turn to stone

Literature

10 7.7

Become completely still and look like stone when frightened

to turn one's stomach

6 7.0

To make you feel sick or disgusted

to turn a deaf ear

4 6.1

Refuse to listen to someone who gives advice or warnings

to turn on one's heel

3 7.4

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

turn for the better

3 3.6

A change that makes a situation better

to turn on a dime

Informal

3 7.2

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

to turn up one's nose

3 7.5

To show you think something is not good enough

to turn a phrase

Informal

2 6.8

Say something in a clever, attractive way

to turn in one's grave

Informal

1 8.6

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

to turn into a circus

Informal

1 6.8

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

to turn on the waterworks

Informal

1 8.4

To start crying to make someone feel sorry for you

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 a frown upside down

Informal

1 6.0

Help someone stop being sad and start smiling

to turn a hair

1 9.8

Show no sign of worry, fear, or surprise

to turn into a pumpkin

Informal

1 9.3

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

wrong turn at Albuquerque

Informal

1 9.9

A big mistake that changes your plans or life

to execute a U-turn

Literature

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

turn of the screw

8.6

An event that makes a tense or difficult situation worse

to turn one's coat

8.5

Change which person or group you support for your own benefit

to turn on someone's head

7.5

Completely change the usual idea about something

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

7.0

To give one side an advantage in a situation

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

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

Compounds

turn of the century

37 3.9

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

turn of events

35 4.1

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

turn-on

NSFW

14 8.2

Something that makes someone feel sexually excited or attracted

left turn

14 1.0

Moving a vehicle to the left while driving

turn of phrase

7 4.8

A clever way of saying something that people remember

turn signal

7 2.5

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

turn-off

Informal

5 5.0

Something that makes a person lose interest or feel dislike

good turn

5 2.2

An act of kindness done to help someone

left turn

Literature

2 5.8

Changing policies or views toward more left-wing ideas

star turn

Literature

2 6.4

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

three-point turn

1 3.7

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

about turn

Jargon

1 5.8

A complete change of direction or opinion, often sudden

kick turn

1 8.2

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

turn indicator

1 2.3

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

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

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

ill turn

8.1

An action meant to help that causes harm or trouble

Jesuitic turn

Slur

9.9

A clever but tricky argument meant to confuse people

stem turn

Jargon

8.2

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

turn of expression

5.9

A special way of saying something when speaking or writing

u-turn

3.2

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

How Long

feature

189 3.7

act

168 3.7

turn

35 5.4

bit

58 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.