# turtle

/ˈtɝtəɫ/ (US) · /tˈɜːtəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the animal

noun · CEFR A1

a reptile with a thick, hard shell that protects its body. Many types live in the ocean, while others live on land.

For teachers: any reptile of the order Testudines, characterized by a bony or leathery shell. In British English, the term often refers specifically to marine species.

- The sea turtle swam back to the ocean after laying its eggs in the sand.
- Conservationists are working to protect the nesting grounds of the leatherback turtle, which faces threats from plastic pollution and rising sea levels.

### 2. computing cursor

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a small pointer or icon on a computer screen used for drawing lines in programming.

For teachers: an on-screen cursor or a physical robot used in educational programming environments, such as Logo, to create vector graphics.

- The students learned how to move the turtle to draw a square on the screen.
- By using simple commands like 'forward' and 'right', the children manipulated the turtle to generate complex geometric patterns.

### 3. a sweet

noun · CEFR B1 · American English

a type of candy made with chocolate, caramel, and nuts.

For teachers: a confection typically composed of pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate, so named for its resemblance to the reptile's shell.

- She bought a box of chocolate turtles to share with her friends.
- The artisanal bakery specializes in handmade turtles, using sea salt and dark chocolate to elevate the traditional recipe.

### 4. to turn upside down

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to flip over so that the bottom is facing up.

For teachers: to capsize or turn upside down, particularly in the context of vehicles or boats.

- The small sailboat turtled when a sudden gust of wind hit the sail.
- The off-road vehicle turtled after hitting a large rock, leaving the driver waiting for a tow truck to right it.

### 5. to play defensively

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang

to focus entirely on building a strong defense instead of attacking.

For teachers: to adopt a highly defensive strategy in a video game, typically by fortifying a single position and avoiding offensive maneuvers.

- He decided to turtle and build up his army behind thick walls.
- The player's tendency to turtle during the early game allowed his opponent to seize control of the map's resources without resistance.

## Examples

- The sea turtle swam slowly through the coral reef.
- During our vacation to the coast, we watched a turtle crawl across the sand to reach the ocean.
- Conservation efforts have focused on protecting the nesting beaches where every turtle must return to deposit its eggs, ensuring the survival of the next generation.

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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.