Library / English Dictionary

TURN AROUND

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Turning in an opposite direction or position

Example:

the reversal of the image in the lens

Synonyms:

reversal; turn around

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("turn around" is a kind of...):

turn; turning (a movement in a new direction)

Derivation:

turn around (turn abruptly and face the other way, either physically or metaphorically)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Improve significantly; go from bad to good

Example:

Her performance in school picked up

Synonyms:

pick up; turn around

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "turn around" is one way to...):

ameliorate; better; improve; meliorate (get better)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Improve dramatically

Example:

The tutor turned around my son's performance in math

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "turn around" is one way to...):

ameliorate; amend; better; improve; meliorate (to make better)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Turn abruptly and face the other way, either physically or metaphorically

Example:

My conscience told me to turn around before I made a mistake

Synonyms:

swing about; swing around; turn around

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "turn around" is one way to...):

turn (change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Derivation:

turn around (turning in an opposite direction or position)

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