Curve vs. Turn — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 2, 2024
A curve is a smooth, gradual bend in a line or road, emphasizing continuity, while a turn is a change in direction, often more abrupt and distinct.
Difference Between Curve and Turn
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A curve implies a smooth, continuous change in direction without angles, making it a common term in geometry and road design. Curves are often described in terms of their radius or the sharpness of their bend. On the other hand, a turn suggests a more distinct change in direction, which can be quantified by the degree of rotation from the original path. This distinction is crucial in navigation and vehicle maneuvering, where the precision of direction change matters.
Curves are characterized by their gradual nature, enhancing fluidity in motion, whether it’s in a physical, graphical, or conceptual context. They are essential in designs that require elegance and smooth transitions, such as in art or automotive aerodynamics. Whereas turns are associated with decision points or changes in a journey, indicating a departure from a previous path, often requiring a stop or slow down in practical scenarios like driving.
In mathematics, curves are defined by equations that specify a continuous set of points. They can be simple arcs or complex shapes like parabolas. Whereas turns, in a mathematical context, usually refer to angles or points where a direction changes abruptly, not necessarily adhering to a smooth, continuous path.
Curves often symbolize flexibility and adaptability, as they can extend in various directions without breaking. This concept is used metaphorically in various fields to indicate resilience or the ability to navigate challenges smoothly. In contrast, turns symbolize decision-making and change, often requiring a choice to follow one path over another, symbolizing moments of change or adjustment.
In driving, a curve requires the driver to make a smooth, continuous steering motion, allowing for a fluid transition through the bend. This action contrasts with a turn, where the driver must execute a more defined change in direction, often involving a sharper steering action or even a complete change in direction, such as turning at an intersection.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A smooth, gradual bend.
A change in direction, often more abrupt.
Contexts
Road design, geometry, art.
Navigation, vehicle maneuvering, decision points.
Nature
Continuous and smooth.
Distinct and often abrupt.
Symbolism
Flexibility, adaptability.
Decision-making, change.
Action in Driving
Smooth steering motion.
Defined, sharper steering or change in direction.
Compare with Definitions
Curve
A graphical representation of data showing a smooth progression.
The curve on the graph shows a steady increase in sales.
Turn
To shift one's orientation or direction of movement.
Turn towards the sound of my voice.
Curve
A pitch in baseball that deviates from a straight path due to spin.
The pitcher's curveball was difficult to hit.
Turn
A place where a change in direction occurs.
Take the next left turn to reach the store.
Curve
A bend without angles in a line or surface.
The road ahead curves gently to the left.
Turn
To change direction.
The car turned at the stop sign.
Curve
A line or outline that gradually deviates from being straight for some or all of its length.
The artist drew a perfect curve to represent the hill.
Turn
A change in nature, state, form, or color; become.
The leaves turn red in autumn.
Curve
In mathematics, an object similar to a line but that does not have to be straight.
The equation y = x^2 describes a parabolic curve.
Turn
To cause to move around an axis or center; make rotate or revolve.
She turned the key in the lock.
Curve
In mathematics, a curve (also called a curved line in older texts) is an object similar to a line, but that does not have to be straight. Intuitively, a curve may be thought of as the trace left by a moving point.
Turn
To cause to move around an axis or center; cause to rotate or revolve
A motor turns the wheels.
Curve
A line that deviates from straightness in a smooth, continuous fashion.
Turn
To cause to move around in order to achieve a result, such as opening, closing, tightening, or loosening
Turn the key.
Turn a screw.
Curve
A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.
Turn
To alter or control the functioning of (a mechanical device, for example) by the use of a rotating or similar movement
Turned the iron to a hotter setting.
Curve
Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.
Turn
To perform or accomplish by rotating or revolving
Turn a somersault.
Curve
A relatively smooth bend in a road or other course.
Turn
To change the position of so that the underside becomes the upper side
Turn the steak.
Turn a page.
Curve
A line representing data on a graph.
Turn
To spade or plow (soil) to bring the undersoil to the surface.
Curve
A trend derived from or as if from such a graph
"Once again, the politicians are behind the curve" (Ted Kennedy).
Turn
To reverse and resew the material of (a collar, for example).
Curve
A graphic representation showing the relative performance of individuals as measured against each other, used especially as a method of grading students in which the assignment of grades is based on predetermined proportions of students.
Turn
To revolve in the mind; meditate on; ponder
Turned the question in her mind.
Curve
The graph of a function on a coordinate plane.
Turn
To give a rounded form to (wood, for example) by rotating against a cutting tool.
Curve
The intersection of two surfaces in three dimensions.
Turn
To give a rounded shape to (clay, for example) by rotating and shaping with the hands or tools.
Curve
The graph of the solutions to any equation of two variables.
Turn
To give a rounded form to
Turn a heel in knitting a sock.
Curve
(Baseball) A curve ball.
Turn
To give distinctive, artistic, or graceful form to
"They know precisely how to turn a dramatic line or phrase that is guaranteed to make the evening news" (William Safire).
Curve
(Slang) Something that is unexpected or designed to trick or deceive.
Turn
To change the position of by traversing an arc of a circle; pivot
Turned his chair toward the speaker.
Curve
To move in or take the shape of a curve
The path curves around the lake.
Turn
To present in a specified direction by rotating or pivoting
Turn one's face to the wall.
Curve
To cause to curve.
Turn
To cause (a scale) to move up or down so as to register weight
Even a feather will turn a delicate scale.
Curve
(Baseball) To pitch (a ball) with a curve.
Turn
To fold, bend, or twist (something).
Curve
To grade (students, for example) on a curve.
Turn
To change the position or disposition of by folding, bending, or twisting
Turn the design right side up on your jacket buttons. Turn the hat inside out.
Curve
(obsolete) Bent without angles; crooked; curved. Category:en:Curves
A curve line
A curve surface
Turn
To make a bend or curve in
Strong enough to turn a bar of steel.
Curve
A gentle bend, such as in a road.
You should slow down when approaching a curve.
Turn
To blunt or dull (the edge of a cutting instrument).
Curve
A simple figure containing no straight portions and no angles; a curved line.
She scribbled a curve on the paper.
Turn
To injure by twisting
Turn an ankle.
Curve
A grading system based on the scale of performance of a group used to normalize a right-skewed grade distribution (with more lower scores) into a bell curve, so that more can receive higher grades, regardless of their actual knowledge of the subject.
The teacher was nice and graded the test on a curve.
Turn
To upset or make nauseated
That story turns my stomach.
Curve
(analytic geometry) A continuous map from a one-dimensional space to a multidimensional space.
Turn
To change the direction or course of
Turn the car to the left.
Curve
(geometry) A one-dimensional figure of non-zero length; the graph of a continuous map from a one-dimensional space.
Turn
To divert or deflect
Turn a stampede.
Curve
(algebraic geometry) An algebraic curve; a polynomial relation of the planar coordinates.
Turn
To reverse the course of; cause to retreat
"Then turn your forces from this paltry siege / And stir them up against a mightier task" (Shakespeare).
Curve
(topology) A one-dimensional continuum.
Turn
To make a course around or about
Turn a corner.
Curve
The attractive shape of a woman's body.
Turn
To reach and pass (a specified age)
My niece has turned two.
Curve
(transitive) To bend; to crook.
To curve a line
To curve a pipe
Turn
To change the purpose, intention, or content of by persuasion or influence
Her speech turned my thinking.
Curve
(transitive) To cause to swerve from a straight course.
To curve a ball in pitching it
Turn
To change the order or disposition of; unsettle
"Sudden prosperity had turned [his] head" (Thomas Macaulay).
Curve
(intransitive) To bend or turn gradually from a given direction.
The road curves to the right
Turn
To aim or focus
Turn one's gaze to the sky.
Turned the camera on the speaker.
Curve
(transitive) To grade on a curve (bell curve of a normal distribution).
The teacher will curve the test.
Turn
To devote or apply (oneself, for example) to something
She turned herself to law.
Curve
(transitive) (slang) To reject, to turn down romantic advances.
I was once curved three times by the same woman.
Turn
To cause to act or go against; make antagonistic
The scandal turned public opinion against the candidate.
Curve
Bent without angles; crooked; curved; as, a curve line; a curve surface.
Turn
To cause to go in a specific direction; direct
They turned their steps toward home.
Curve
A bending without angles; that which is bent; a flexure; as, a curve in a railway or canal.
Turn
To send, drive, or let go
Turn the bully out of the bar.
Turned the dog loose.
Curve
A line described according to some low, and having no finite portion of it a straight line.
Turn
To pour, let fall, or otherwise release (contents) from or into a receptacle
Turn the dough onto a floured board.
Curve
To bend; to crook; as, to curve a line; to curve a pipe; to cause to swerve from a straight course; as, to curve a ball in pitching it.
Turn
To cause to take on a specified character, nature, identity, or appearance; change or transform. Used with to or into
Water that had been turned to ice.
Turn a rundown house into a show place.
Curve
To bend or turn gradually from a given direction; as, the road curves to the right.
Turn
To affect or change the color of
Autumn turns the green leaves golden.
Curve
The trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
Turn
To make sour; ferment
Lack of refrigeration turned the milk.
Curve
A line on a graph representing data
Turn
To exchange; convert. Used with to or into
Turns her singing talent into extra money.
Curve
A baseball thrown with spin so that its path curves as it approach the batter
Turn
To keep in circulation; sell and restock
We turned a great deal of merchandise during the holidays.
Curve
The property possessed by the curving of a line or surface
Turn
To make use of
Turned the situation to our advantage.
Curve
Curved segment (of a road or river or railroad track etc.)
Turn
To get by buying and selling
Turn a fair profit.
Curve
Turn sharply; change direction abruptly;
The car cut to the left at the intersection
The motorbike veered to the right
Turn
To perform successfully; complete
Turn a double play.
Curve
Extend in curves and turns;
The road winds around the lake
Turn
(Slang) To perform (an act of prostitution)
Turning tricks.
Curve
Form an arch or curve;
Her back arches
Her hips curve nicely
Turn
To move around an axis or center; rotate or revolve.
Curve
Bend or cause to bend;
He crooked his index finger
The road curved sharply
Turn
To have a sensation of revolving or whirling, especially as a result of dizziness or giddiness
My head is turning.
Curve
Form a curl, curve, or kink;
The cigar smoke curled up at the ceiling
Turn
To change position from side to side or back and forth
I tossed and turned all night.
Turn
To progress through pages so as to arrive at a given place
Please turn to page 31.
Turn
To operate a lathe.
Turn
To be formed on a lathe
A softwood that turns easily.
Turn
To direct one's way or course
The truck turned into the gas station. Turn off the highway at the next exit.
Turn
To change or reverse one's way, course, or direction
Too tired to go farther, we turned toward home.
Turn
To change one's actions or attitudes adversely; become hostile or antagonistic
The peasants turned against the cruel king.
Turn
To attack suddenly and violently with no apparent motive
The lion turned on the animal trainer.
Turn
To channel one's attention, interest, or thought toward or away from something
"In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love" (Tennyson).
Turn
To devote or apply oneself to something, as to a field of study
Unsuccessful in math, the student turned to biology.
Turn
To convert to a religion.
Turn
To switch one's loyalty from one side or party to another.
Turn
To have recourse to a person or thing for help, support, or information
You can always turn to me for advice.
Turn
To start to use (something) as a solution to a problem or relief of distress
When things got really bad, he turned to drugs.
Turn
To depend on something for success or failure; hinge
"The election would turn not on ideology but on competence" (George F. Will).
Turn
To change so as to be; become
His hair turned gray. I am a lawyer turned novelist.
Turn
To change; become transformed. Used with to or into
The sky turned to pink at dawn. The night turned into day.
Turn
To change color
The leaves have turned.
Turn
To become sour
The milk will turn if you don't refrigerate it.
Turn
To be stocked and sold
This merchandise will turn easily.
Turn
To become dull or blunt by bending back. Used of the edge of a cutting instrument.
Turn
The act of turning or the condition of being turned; rotation or revolution.
Turn
A change of direction, motion, or position
Make a left turn at the corner.
Turn
A place, as in a road or path, where a change in direction occurs; a curve
A sharp turn in the road.
Turn
A change or deviation, as in a trend
A strange turn of events.
Turn
A change or development in a particular way
The patient took a turn for the worse.
Turn
A variation of a given kind or type
"His muse occasionally takes a humorous and satirical turn" (Albert C. Baugh).
Turn
A point marking the end of one period of time and the beginning of the next
The turn of the century.
Turn
The midway point in a round of 18 holes of golf, at which the first set of nine holes has been completed.
Turn
A period of participation
Had a turn at wrestling in college.
Turn
A chance or opportunity
Took advantage at every turn.
Turn
One of a series of such opportunities accorded people in succession or in scheduled order
Waiting for her next turn at bat.
Turn
An attack of illness or severe nervousness.
Turn
A momentary shock or scare
I had quite a turn when I heard the crash.
Turn
A characteristic mood, style, or habit; a natural inclination
An inquisitive turn of mind.
Turn
A distinctive, graceful, or artistic expression or arrangement of words
The poetic turn of a phrase.
Turn
A deed or action having a good or bad effect on another
"He thought some friend had done him an ill turn" (Stephen Crane).
Turn
A short walk or excursion out and back
Took a turn in the park.
Turn
A single wind or convolution, as of wire on a spool.
Turn
(Music) A figure or ornament, usually consisting of four or more notes in rapid succession and including the principal note, the one a degree above it, and the one a degree below it.
Turn
A brief theatrical act or stage appearance.
Turn
A transaction on the stock market involving both a sale and a purchase.
Turn
The fourth community card in Texas hold'em.
Turn
Upper Southern & South Atlantic US An amount that can be carried or transported in one load
A turn of firewood.
A turn of corn.
Turn
To make a non-linear physical movement.
Turn
(intransitive) Of a body, person, etc, to move around an axis through itself.
The Earth turns;
Turn on the spot
Turn
(transitive) To change the direction or orientation of, especially by rotation.
Turn the knob clockwise.
Turn
(intransitive) To change one's direction of travel.
She turned right at the corner.
Turn
(transitive) To shape (something) symmetrically by rotating it against a stationary cutting tool, as on a lathe.
She turned the table legs with care and precision.
Turn
(by extension) To give form to; to shape or mould; to adapt.
Turn
(transitive) To position (something) by folding it, or using its folds.
Turn the bed covers;
Turn the pages
Turn
To navigate through a book or other printed material.
Turn to page twenty;
Turn through the book
Turn
Of a bowler, to make (the ball) move sideways off the pitch when it bounces.
Turn
Of a ball, to move sideways off the pitch when it bounces.
Turn
(intransitive) To change condition or attitude.
Turn
(copulative) To become begin to be.
The leaves turn brown in autumn. When I asked him for the money, he turned nasty.
Turn
(intransitive) To change the color of the leaves in the autumn.
The hillside behind our house isn't generally much to look at, but once all the trees turn it's gorgeous.
Turn
To change fundamentally; to metamorphose.
Midas made everything turn to gold.
He turned into a monster every full moon.
Turn
To reach a certain age.
Charlie turns six on September 29.
Turn
To hinge; to depend.
The decision turns on a single fact.
Turn
To rebel; to go against something formerly tolerated.
The prisoners turned on the warden.
Turn
To change personal condition.
Turn
To change one's course of action; to take a new approach.
Turn
To complete.
They say they can turn the parts in two days.
Turn
(transitive) To make (money); turn a profit.
We turned a pretty penny with that little scheme.
Turn
Of a player, to go past an opposition player with the ball in one's control.
Turn
To undergo the process of turning on a lathe.
Ivory turns well.
Turn
(obstetrics) To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery.
Turn
To invert a type of the same thickness, as a temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted.
Turn
(archaic) To translate.
To turn the Iliad
Turn
A change of direction or orientation.
Give the handle a turn, then pull it.
Turn
A movement of an object about its own axis in one direction that continues until the object returns to its initial orientation.
Turn
(geometry) A unit of plane angle measurement based on this movement.
Turn
A walk to and fro.
Let's take a turn in the garden.
Turn
A chance to use (something) shared in sequence with others.
They took turns playing with the new toy.
Turn
A spell of work, especially the time allotted to a person in a rota or schedule.
I cooked tonight, so it's your turn to do the dishes.
Turn
One's chance to make a move in a game having two or more players.
Turn
A figure in music, often denoted ~, consisting of the note above the one indicated, the note itself, the note below the one indicated, and the note itself again.
Turn
The time required to complete a project.
They quote a three-day turn on parts like those.
Turn
A fit or a period of giddiness.
I've had a funny turn.
Turn
A change in temperament or circumstance.
She took a turn for the worse.
Turn
(cricket) A sideways movement of the ball when it bounces (caused by rotation in flight).
Turn
(poker) The fourth communal card in Texas hold 'em.
Turn
The flop (the first three community cards) in Texas hold 'em.
Turn
A deed done to another; an act of kindness or malice.
One good turn deserves another.
I felt that the man was of a vindictive nature, and would do me an evil turn if he found the opportunitynb....
Turn
A single loop of a coil.
Turn
(rope) A pass behind or through an object.
Turn
Character; personality; nature.
Turn
(soccer) An instance of going past an opposition player with the ball in one's control.
Turn
A short skit, act, or routine.
Turn
A type turned upside down to serve for another character that is not available.
Turn
The profit made by a stockjobber, being the difference between the buying and selling prices.
Turn
To cause to move upon a center, or as if upon a center; to give circular motion to; to cause to revolve; to cause to move round, either partially, wholly, or repeatedly; to make to change position so as to present other sides in given directions; to make to face otherwise; as, to turn a wheel or a spindle; to turn the body or the head.
Turn the adamantine spindle round.
The monarch turns him to his royal guest.
Turn
To cause to present a different side uppermost or outmost; to make the upper side the lower, or the inside to be the outside of; to reverse the position of; as, to turn a box or a board; to turn a coat.
Turn
To give another direction, tendency, or inclination to; to direct otherwise; to deflect; to incline differently; - used both literally and figuratively; as, to turn the eyes to the heavens; to turn a horse from the road, or a ship from her course; to turn the attention to or from something.
Thrice I deluded her, and turned to sportHer importunity.
My thoughts are turned on peace.
Turn
To change from a given use or office; to divert, as to another purpose or end; to transfer; to use or employ; to apply; to devote.
Therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David.
God will make these evils the occasion of a greater good, by turning them to advantage in this world.
When the passage is open, land will be turned most to cattle; when shut, to sheep.
Turn
To change the form, quality, aspect, or effect of; to alter; to metamorphose; to convert; to transform; - often with to or into before the word denoting the effect or product of the change; as, to turn a worm into a winged insect; to turn green to blue; to turn prose into verse; to turn a Whig to a Tory, or a Hindu to a Christian; to turn good to evil, and the like.
The Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee.
And David said, O Lord, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
Impatience turns an ague into a fever.
Turn
To form in a lathe; to shape or fashion (anything) by applying a cutting tool to it while revolving; as, to turn the legs of stools or tables; to turn ivory or metal.
I had rather hear a brazen canstick turned.
Turn
Hence, to give form to; to shape; to mold; to put in proper condition; to adapt.
His limbs how turned, how broad his shoulders spread !
He was perfectly well turned for trade.
Turn
To translate; to construe; as, to turn the Iliad.
Who turns a Persian tale for half a crown.
Turn
To make acid or sour; to ferment; to curdle, etc.: as, to turn cider or wine; electricity turns milk quickly.
Turn
To make a turn about or around (something); to go or pass around by turning; as, to turn a corner.
The ranges are not high or steep, and one can turn a kopje instead of cutting or tunneling through it.
We turn not back the silks upon the merchants,When we have soiled them.
I'll turn you out of my kingdom.
This house is turned upside down since Robin Ostler died.
Turn
To sicken; to nauseate; as, an emetic turns one's stomach.
Turn
To move round; to have a circular motion; to revolve entirely, repeatedly, or partially; to change position, so as to face differently; to whirl or wheel round; as, a wheel turns on its axis; a spindle turns on a pivot; a man turns on his heel.
The gate . . . on golden hinges turning.
Turn
Hence, to revolve as if upon a point of support; to hinge; to depend; as, the decision turns on a single fact.
Conditions of peace certainly turn upon events of war.
Turn
To result or terminate; to come about; to eventuate; to issue.
If we repent seriously, submit contentedly, and serve him faithfully, afflictions shall turn to our advantage.
Turn
To be deflected; to take a different direction or tendency; to be directed otherwise; to be differently applied; to be transferred; as, to turn from the road.
Turn from thy fierce wrath.
Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways.
The understanding turns inward on itself, and reflects on its own operations.
Turn
To be changed, altered, or transformed; to become transmuted; also, to become by a change or changes; to grow; as, wood turns to stone; water turns to ice; one color turns to another; to turn Muslim.
I hope you have no intent to turn husband.
Cygnets from gray turn white.
Turn
To undergo the process of turning on a lathe; as, ivory turns well.
Turn
To become acid; to sour; - said of milk, ale, etc.
Turn
To become giddy; - said of the head or brain.
I'll look no more;Lest my brain turn.
Turn
To invert a type of the same thickness, as temporary substitute for any sort which is exhausted.
Turn
To be nauseated; - said of the stomach.
Turn
To become inclined in the other direction; - said of scales.
Turn
To change from ebb to flow, or from flow to ebb; - said of the tide.
Turn
To bring down the feet of a child in the womb, in order to facilitate delivery.
Turn
The act of turning; movement or motion about, or as if about, a center or axis; revolution; as, the turn of a wheel.
Turn
Change of direction, course, or tendency; different order, position, or aspect of affairs; alteration; vicissitude; as, the turn of the tide.
At length his complaint took a favorable turn.
The turns and varieties of all passions.
Too well the turns of mortal chance I know.
Turn
One of the successive portions of a course, or of a series of occurrences, reckoning from change to change; hence, a winding; a bend; a meander.
And all its [the river's] thousand turns disclose.Some fresher beauty varying round.
Turn
A circuitous walk, or a walk to and fro, ending where it began; a short walk; a stroll.
Come, you and I must walk a turn together.
I will take a turn in your garden.
Turn
Successive course; opportunity enjoyed by alternation with another or with others, or in due order; due chance; alternate or incidental occasion; appropriate time.
His turn will come to laugh at you again.
Every one has a fair turn to be as great as he pleases.
Turn
Incidental or opportune deed or office; occasional act of kindness or malice; as, to do one an ill turn.
Had I not done a friendes turn to thee?
Thanks are half lost when good turns are delayed.
Turn
Convenience; occasion; purpose; exigence; as, this will not serve his turn.
I have enough to serve mine own turn.
Turn
Form; cast; shape; manner; fashion; - used in a literal or figurative sense; hence, form of expression; mode of signifying; as, the turn of thought; a man of a sprightly turn in conversation.
The turn of both his expressions and thoughts is unharmonious.
The Roman poets, in their description of a beautiful man, often mention the turn of his neck and arms.
Turn
A change of condition; especially, a sudden or recurring symptom of illness, as a nervous shock, or fainting spell; as, a bad turn.
Turn
A fall off the ladder at the gallows; a hanging; - so called from the practice of causing the criminal to stand on a ladder which was turned over, so throwing him off, when the signal was given.
Turn
A round of a rope or cord in order to secure it, as about a pin or a cleat.
Turn
A pit sunk in some part of a drift.
Turn
A court of record, held by the sheriff twice a year in every hundred within his county.
Turn
Monthly courses; menses.
Turn
An embellishment or grace (marked thus, ), commonly consisting of the principal note, or that on which the turn is made, with the note above, and the semitone below, the note above being sounded first, the principal note next, and the semitone below last, the three being performed quickly, as a triplet preceding the marked note. The turn may be inverted so as to begin with the lower note, in which case the sign is either placed on end thus , or drawn thus .
Turn
A circular segment of a curve;
A bend in the road
A crook in the path
Turn
The act of changing or reversing the direction of the course;
He took a turn to the right
Turn
The activity of doing something in an agreed succession;
It is my turn
It is still my play
Turn
An unforeseen development;
Events suddenly took an awkward turn
Turn
A movement in a new direction;
The turning of the wind
Turn
Turning away or in the opposite direction;
He made an abrupt turn away from her
Turn
Turning or twisting around (in place);
With a quick twist of his head he surveyed the room
Turn
A time for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else);
It's my go
A spell of work
Turn
(sports) a period of play during which one team is on the offensive
Turn
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;
He did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
Turn
A favor for someone;
He did me a good turn
Turn
Taking a short walk out and back;
We took a turn in the park
Turn
Change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense;
Turn towards me
The mugger turned and fled before I could see his face
She turned from herself and learned to listen to others' needs
Turn
Undergo a change or development;
The water turned into ice
Her former friend became her worst enemy
He turned traitor
Turn
Undergo a transformation or a change of position or action;
We turned from Socialism to Capitalism
The people turned against the President when he stole the election
Turn
Cause to move around or rotate;
Turn a key
Turn your palm this way
Turn
Pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become;
The weather turned nasty
She grew angry
Turn
To send or let go;
They turned away the crowd at the gate of the governor's mansion
Turn
Pass to the other side of;
Turn the corner
Move around the obstacle
Turn
Move around an axis or a center;
The wheels are turning
Turn
Cause to move around a center so as to show another side of;
Turn a page of a book
Turn
Change to the contrary;
The trend was reversed
The tides turned against him
Public opinion turned when it was revealed that the president had an affair with a White House intern
Turn
To break and turn over earth especially with a plow;
Farmer Jones plowed his east field last week
Turn the earth in the Spring
Turn
Change color;
In Vermont, the leaves turn early
Turn
Cause to change or turn into something different;assume new characteristics;
The princess turned the frog into a prince by kissing him
The alchemists tried to turn lead into gold
Turn
Let (something) fall or spill a container;
Turn the flour onto a plate
Turn
Twist suddenly so as to sprain;
Wrench one's ankle
The wrestler twisted his shoulder
The hikers sprained their ankles when they fell
I turned my ankle and couldn't walk for several days
Turn
Shape by rotating on a lathe or cutting device or a wheel;
Turn the legs of the table
Turn the clay on the wheel
Turn
Go sour or spoil;
The milk has soured
The wine worked
The cream has turned--we have to throw it out
Turn
Accomplish by rotating;
Turn a somersault
Turn cartwheels
Turn
Get by buying and selling;
The company turned a good profit after a year
Turn
Cause to move along an axis or into a new direction;
Turn your face to the wall
Turn the car around
Turn your dance partner around
Turn
Channel one's attention, interest, thought, or attention toward or away from something;
The pedophile turned to boys for satisfaction
People turn to mysticism at the turn of a millenium
Turn
Cause (a plastic object) to assume a crooked or angular form;
Bend the rod
Twist the dough into a braid
The strong man could turn an iron bar
Turn
Alter the functioning or setting of;
Turn the dial to 10
Turn the heat down
Turn
Direct at someone;
She turned a smile on me
They turned their flashlights on the car
Turn
Have recourse to or make an appeal or request for help or information to;
She called on her Representative to help her
She turned to her relatives for help
Turn
Become officially one year older;
She is turning 50 this year
Common Curiosities
Can a curve be a turn?
Conceptually, a curve can function as a turn when it changes the direction of movement, though it does so smoothly.
What is a curve?
A curve is a smooth, continuous line or surface that bends without angles.
What is the significance of turns in navigation?
Turns are crucial in navigation for indicating when and where to change direction to reach a destination.
How do curves and turns differ in road design?
Curves in road design allow for smooth, gradual changes in direction, while turns involve more significant changes in direction.
What makes a turn distinct from a curve in mathematics?
In mathematics, a turn often refers to a change in angle or direction, while a curve describes a continuous, smooth path.
What is the role of turns in storylines or narratives?
In narratives, turns often indicate significant changes in the storyline or character development.
Can the term 'curve' have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, 'curve' can refer to physical bends, mathematical equations, or even trends in data, depending on the context.
What is a turn?
A turn refers to a change in direction, which can be abrupt or defined.
Is the action required to navigate a curve different from a turn in all vehicles?
Yes, regardless of the vehicle, navigating a curve involves gradual steering, while turns may require more distinct actions.
How do drivers handle curves differently from turns?
Drivers navigate curves with smooth, continuous steering, while turns may require stopping or sharper steering actions.
How are curves described in geometry?
In geometry, curves are described by equations that define a smooth, continuous set of points.
Why are curves preferred in certain designs?
Curves are preferred for their aesthetic appeal and the smooth transition they provide, ideal in art and automotive design.
How do curves and turns relate to decision-making?
Curves symbolize a smooth transition or adaptation, whereas turns symbolize decisive changes or choices.
Do curves and turns have symbolic meanings beyond their literal definitions?
Yes, curves often symbolize flexibility and smooth progress, while turns can symbolize decisions and changes.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
