# turner

/ˈtɝnɝ/ (US) · /tˈɜːnɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/turner
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a kitchen tool

noun · CEFR B1

a flat kitchen tool you use to flip food like pancakes or eggs.

For teachers: a flat-bladed kitchen utensil designed for flipping or lifting food items during cooking.

- She used a metal turner to flip the burgers on the grill.
- The chef reached for a wide silicone turner to ensure the delicate fish fillets remained intact while being flipped in the pan.

### 2. a lathe worker

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a person who uses a machine called a lathe to shape wood or metal.

For teachers: a skilled artisan who operates a lathe to shape wood, metal, or other materials by rotating them against a cutting tool.

- The master turner spent hours shaping the legs for the new dining table.
- Apprentice turners must first master the basic gouging techniques before attempting the intricate spindle work required for high-end furniture production.

### 3. cricket pitch

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

in cricket, a ground that is very dry and makes the ball spin easily.

For teachers: a cricket pitch, typically dry and dusty, that offers significant assistance to spin bowlers by allowing the ball to deviate sharply upon bouncing.

- The captain chose two spin bowlers because the pitch looked like a real turner.
- As the match entered the fourth day, the surface transformed into a sharp turner, making it nearly impossible for the batsmen to predict the ball's trajectory.

### 4. gymnast

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a member of a traditional German gymnastic club.

For teachers: a member of a Turnverein, a type of German gymnastic club that historically combined physical education with nationalist political activity.

- The local turner club held a large parade through the town square.
- Nineteenth-century Turner societies played a pivotal role in the social and political integration of German immigrants in the United States.

### 5. a type of pigeon

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific kind of pigeon that does flips or tumbles while flying.

For teachers: a variety of domestic pigeon characterised by its habit of tumbling or turning somersaults during flight.

- The bird enthusiast kept several turners in his backyard coop.
- The genetic basis for the turner pigeon's unique flight pattern has been a subject of interest for avian researchers for decades.

## Examples

- The master turner shaped the wooden bowl on his spinning machine.
- The local craft fair featured a master turner who demonstrated how to carve intricate patterns into spinning chair legs.
- While modern manufacturing relies on automated lathes, the traditional turner maintains a tactile connection to the grain of the wood, adjusting pressure by hand to achieve a perfect finish.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.