turn on

Definitions

1. 1

   To set a flow of fluid or gas running by rotating a tap or valve.

   • Turn on the tap/faucet.
2. 2

   To power up, to put into operation, to start, to activate (an appliance, light,…

   To power up, to put into operation, to start, to activate (an appliance, light, mechanism, functionality etc.).

   • Please turn the lights on so I can see what I'm reading.
   • Please turn on automatic updates.
   • He'll turn on the charm if he thinks he's losing the sale.
3. 3

   To start operating

   To start operating; to power up, to become on.

   • My computer won't turn on.
4. ›+ 8 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To introduce (someone to something), and especially to fill them with enthusiasm (about…

      To introduce (someone to something), and especially to fill them with enthusiasm (about it); to intoxicate, give pleasure to ( + to an object of interest or excitement).

      • Attractive packaging can turn buyers on to a product.
      • Attractive showroom models can turn buyers on.
      • Hearing that song turned me on to jazz fusion.
   2. 5

      To sexually arouse.

      • John's a maid fetishist. Maid outfits really turn him on.
      • You don't have to be beautiful to turn me on / I just need your body, baby, from dusk 'til dawn
      • You really turn me on / You knock me off of my feet / My lonely days are gone
   3. 6

      To take drugs.

      • "Well, they seem to always have dope up there, and I like to turn on, too." "You do?" "Sure. Cops is just people. I don't drink, so I gotta do something to get my kicks."
   4. 7

      To cause to take up drugs, especially hallucinogens.

      • In fact, many youngsters will not even turn on a close friend if they know he has never used drugs. And it is rare indeed for a youth to actively seek out people to turn on.
   5. 8

      To aim at.

      • He turned the searchlight on the passing planes.
      • Cornered by the authorities, the shooter turned the gun on himself.
   6. 9

      To rebel against

      To rebel against; to suddenly attack.

      • Suddenly all his friends turned on him.
      • Milk Tea Alliance: are young Thais turning on China over Hong Kong?
   7. 10

      To cause (someone) to rebel against or suddenly attack (someone else).

      • We need to be thinking about what it means the way they are locking us up, and turning us on each other. We need to start fighting for our rights together.
   8. 11

      To depend upon

      To depend upon; to pivot around, to have as a central subject.

      • The argument turned on the question of whether or not jobs would be lost.

The neighborhood

• antonymshut off
• antonymturn off