turn on

phrasal verb transitive

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	turn on
he/she/it	turns on
present participle	turning on
past tense	turned on
past participle	turned on

1
to make a piece of equipment start working by pressing a button or moving a switch
Is your computer turned on?
Synonyms and related words
To make a machine or piece of equipment work
activate
actuate
coax
1. 1a
  to start using a supply of water, gas, or electricity by turning a faucet, pressing a button, or moving a switch
  Turn on the outside faucet, will you?
  Synonyms and related words
  To make a machine or piece of equipment work
  activate
  actuate
  coax
2
(turn on someone) to suddenly start angrily criticizing someone or shouting at them
Synonyms and related words
To express anger
blow up
flare
fume
3
(turn on someone) to suddenly attack someone violently
Dan suddenly turned on her and yelled at her to be quiet.
Synonyms and related words
To attack a person or object
attack
assault
strike at
4
(turn something on) to make a deliberate effort to use a special quality that you have in order to achieve something
He’ll have to turn on all his charm to persuade her.
Synonyms and related words
To try hard to do or get something
try
work
strive
5
(turn something on someone/something) to direct something at someone or something
The hoses were turned on the demonstrators.
Synonyms and related words
To aim and to throw
throw
direct
aim
6
(turn someone on) to make someone feel sexually attracted or sexually excited
He’s very nice, but he just doesn’t turn me on.
Synonyms and related words
Feeling sexual excitement or desire
on the pull
arouse
desire
7
(turn someone on) informalto make someone become interested in something
turn someone on to something:
That book really turned me on to astronomy.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone feel excited, enthusiastic or impressed
inspire
attract
interest
1. 7a
  whatever turns you oninformalused for saying that something that interests someone else does not interest you
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of saying that something has little or no value
  no...to speak of
  so much for something
  not worth the paper it is written/printed on
8
(turn on something) to be the issue, fact, or point that something depends on most
The trial turned on the medical evidence presented by the prosecution.
Prospects for a rate cut may now turn on tomorrow’s fourth-quarter production figures.
Synonyms and related words
To depend on or trust someone or something
depend on
rely on
trust
Synonyms and related words
To be connected with or related to something
link
surround
correspond