Definition of Turn on

1. Verb. Cause to operate by flipping a switch. "Turn on the stereo"

Exact synonyms: Switch On
Generic synonyms: Flip, Switch, Throw
Antonyms: Switch Off

2. Verb. Be contingent on. "Your grade will depends on your homework"

3. Verb. Produce suddenly or automatically. "Turn on the waterworks"
Generic synonyms: Bring Forth, Produce

4. Verb. Become hostile towards. "The dog suddenly turned on the mailman"
Generic synonyms: Change

5. Verb. Cause to be agitated, excited, or roused. "The good news will turn on her"; "The speaker charged up the crowd with his inflammatory remarks"
Exact synonyms: Agitate, Charge, Charge Up, Commove, Excite, Rouse
Specialized synonyms: Hype Up, Psych Up, Bother, Pother, Electrify
Generic synonyms: Disturb, Trouble, Upset
Derivative terms: Agitative, Charge, Excitant, Excitement, Rousing, Turn-on
Antonyms: Calm

6. Verb. Stimulate sexually. "The performance is likely to turn on Sue"; "This movie usually arouses the male audience"
Exact synonyms: Arouse, Excite, Sex, Wind Up
Generic synonyms: Excite, Shake, Shake Up, Stimulate, Stir
Specialized synonyms: Tempt
Derivative terms: Sex, Sex, Turn-on

7. Verb. Get high, stoned, or drugged. "He trips every weekend"
Exact synonyms: Get Off, Trip, Trip Out
Derivative terms: Trip

Definition of Turn on

1. Verb. (transitive) To depend upon; to pivot around, to have as a central subject. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

2. Verb. (transitive) To set a flow of (water, gas, electricity etc.) running (defdate from 19th c.) ¹

3. Verb. (transitive) to power up (a device), to start, to cause to start operating. ¹

4. Verb. (intransitive of a device) To start operating; to power up, to become on. (defdate from 19th c.) ¹

5. Verb. (transitive) To violently rebel against; to suddenly attack. (defdate from 19th c.) ¹

6. Verb. (transitive) To fill with enthusiasm; to intoxicate, give pleasure to ( + '''to''' an object of interest or excitement). (defdate from 20th c.) ¹

7. Verb. (transitive) To sexually arouse. (defdate from 20th c.) ¹

8. Verb. (slang transitive) to cause to take up drugs, especially hallucinogens. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Turn On

turn flukes
turn heads
turn in
turn in one's grave
turn indicator
turn inside-out
turn into
turn into a pumpkin
turn loose
turn of events
turn of logs
turn of phrase
turn of the century
turn of the year
turn off
turn on a dime
turn on its head
turn on one's heel
turn one's back
turn one's nose up
turn one's stomach
turn out
turn over
turn over a new leaf
turn round
turn signal
turn someone's crank
turn someone's head

Literary usage of Turn on

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Iliad of Homer by Homer, John Graham Cordery (1871)
"Then in his turn on brave Agenor sprang 710 Pelides ; but Apollo suffer'd not That glory to his arm, but snatch'd him up And wrapp'd him in thick mist, ..."

2. The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events by Frank Moore, Edward Everett (1867)
"Wo can then turn on the force in the cove. Wheeler's cavalry will move on Wilder so as to cover your right I shall be delighted ..."

3. Lawyers' Reports Annotated by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company (1911)
"It was shown at the trial that purposes and uses, and one in such building, taking hold of an incandescent lamp in a reasonably prudent manner, to turn on ..."

4. Democracy and the Organization of Political Parties by Moisei Ostrogorski (1902)
"The greatness and the poverty of contemporary democracy turn on this distinction between the two formulas. Through the mere fact of having realized material ..."

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