turn round

move so you face a different direction

A2

What does "turn (sb/sth) round" mean?

To turn round means to move your body or an object so that it faces a different direction — usually the opposite way. It is the standard British English way of saying 'turn around'. You might turn round when someone calls your name, when you hear a noise behind you, or when you want to look at something in another direction. It can also be used when you physically rotate an object, like turning a picture or a chair to face a different way. This phrasal verb is very common in everyday conversation and in storytelling.

Examples

How to use it

turn round (no object)

Used when a person or animal rotates on their own, with no object needed.

She turned round when she heard the door open.

turn + object + round

Used when someone physically rotates an object or another person; the object goes between 'turn' and 'round'.

He turned the sign round so people could read it from the street.

turn + pronoun + round

When the object is a pronoun, it always goes between 'turn' and 'round'.

The statue was too heavy to lift, but we managed to turn it round.

turn round + to-infinitive

Used to show the purpose of turning, or what someone sees or does immediately after turning.

I turned round to find my bag had completely disappeared.

object + be turned round

The passive form is natural when describing how an object has been rotated, often by someone else.

The chairs were turned round to face the front of the room.

Common Collocations

turn round quicklyturn round to lookturn round in surpriseturn the car roundturn round and faceturn round sharply

Common Mistakes

Confusing the physical sense with 'turn round and say'

In informal British English, 'turn round and say' is a completely different expression used to introduce a surprising or blunt statement — it is not about physical movement. Do not mix up this expression with the physical sense of turning to face another direction.

✗ He turned round and said he didn't want to come — so I looked behind me.
✓ He turned round and said he didn't want to come. [= he made a surprising statement, not a physical movement]
Using 'turn round' in very complex or abstract situations

'Turn round' in this entry only refers to physical rotation. For the meaning of improving a business or situation, 'turn around' is more commonly used in that abstract sense.

✗ They turned round the failing company in just six months.
✓ They turned around the failing company in just six months.

Usage

This is standard British English — in American English, 'turn around' is used instead. Both forms are understood globally, but 'turn round' may sound unfamiliar to non-BrE speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'turn round' the same as 'turn around'?

Yes, for the physical meaning of rotating to face a different direction, they mean exactly the same thing. 'Turn round' is the standard British English form, while 'turn around' is preferred in American English. Both are understood everywhere, but 'turn round' may sound unfamiliar to people who did not grow up with British English.

Can I use 'turn round' to describe an object moving, not just a person?

Yes, absolutely. You can use it for objects like chairs, pictures, cars, or signs — anything that can be physically rotated. For example: 'Can you turn the map round so I can see it?' is perfectly natural.

Does 'turn round' always mean someone is moving? Can it describe a state?

'Turn round' describes an action — the moment of rotating — rather than a state. It is most natural in the simple past ('she turned round') or as an imperative ('turn round!'). If you want to describe the resulting position, you would say something like 'she was facing the other way'.

Is 'turn round' only used in British English?

It is primarily a British English form. American English speakers almost always say 'turn around' instead. If you are writing or speaking to an international audience, 'turn around' is more widely recognised, but 'turn round' is completely correct and natural in British English.

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