Word
turning
Phoneticsturn·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɝnɪŋ/
UK/tˈɜːnɪŋ/
Definitions
01a place to turn off a road
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun British English
n. a place where you can leave one road to join another.
n. a point at which a road or path branches off from another; a junction or side road.
“Take the second turning on the left after you pass the post office.”
“The driver missed the obscure turning into the village, forcing us to continue several miles before we could safely reverse course.”
Usage
Commonly used in British English when giving directions; American English speakers typically use 'turn' or 'turn-off'.
02the act of rotating
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the movement of something going around in a circle or changing its position.
n. the action or process of rotating around an axis or changing orientation.
“The constant turning of the wheels made a rhythmic clicking sound.”
“The slow turning of the seasons brings a predictable shift in the local ecosystem, affecting both flora and fauna alike.”
Synonyms
03shaping on a lathe
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Technology Technical
n. the process of using a machine to cut and shape wood or metal while it spins.
n. the operation of shaping wood, metal, or other material by rotating it against a cutting tool on a lathe.
“He spent years mastering the art of wood turning to make beautiful bowls.”
“Precision turning is required to ensure that the metal components fit together with the tight tolerances necessary for aerospace engineering.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “turning” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English turnyng, turnynge, from Old English tyrning, turnung, equivalent to turn + -ing.
From Middle English turninge, turnynge, turninde, turnand, turnende, from Old English tyrnende, turniende, present participle of Old English tyrnan, turnian (“to turn”). Equivalent to turn + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/turning