ENGLISH
REFERENCE

turned

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈtɝnd// UK //tˈɜːnd// turned

v. to move your body or an object so it faces a different direction. You also use it to describe when something changes into a new state or color.

v. to move around a central point or axis; to change position, direction, or state. Transitive or intransitive depending on whether an object is being moved or the subject is moving itself.


SIMPLE

She turned the key in the lock.

CONTEXTUAL

The leaves turned bright red as the weather grew colder in late October.

COMPLEX

As the investigation progressed, what initially appeared to be a simple clerical error turned into a full-scale scandal involving several high-ranking officials.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

The verb is both transitive and intransitive. When describing a change in state or color, it often functions as a linking verb followed by an adjective.

Pitfall

The car turned to leftThe car turned leftWhen 'turn' indicates a change in direction, it is followed directly by the direction (left/right) without a preposition.

Idioms1 entry

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