tɜːrn ɒn
neutral
beginner
- Base verb:
- turn
- Particle:
- on
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "turn on" mean?
- To start a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button
- To attack someone suddenly and unexpectedly
- To excite or attract someone (informal)
Examples
- Can you turn on the lights? It's getting dark in here.
- She turned on the TV to watch the news.
- The dog suddenly turned on its owner and bit him.
- That kind of music really turns me on.
- Please turn on the heater; it's freezing in this room.
How to use it
Very common phrasal verb for operating devices. 'Turn someone on' meaning to excite is informal and can have romantic/sexual connotations.
Word order
Object can go between: 'turn the light on' or after: 'turn on the light'. Pronouns must go between: 'turn it on'.
Similar expressions
switch on
start
activate
power up
Opposites
turn off
switch off
deactivate
Related phrasal verbs
- turn off
To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button
- turn out
To have a particular result or end in a certain way
- turn down
To reduce the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- turn up
To increase the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- turn into
To change or transform into something different
- turn around
To rotate to face the opposite direction
Use it in a practice answer
Try "turn on" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.