1 A2 neutral
To start a device, machine, or supply by operating a switch, button, or valve.
"Turn on the radio — I want to hear the news."
separable
turn on
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To start a device by operating its switch; to suddenly attack or become hostile; to excite or arouse interest or desire.
In plain English
To start something electrical or mechanical, to suddenly attack someone, or to make someone feel excited or interested.
What does "turn on" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
To suddenly attack or become hostile toward someone, especially without warning.
"The normally friendly dog turned on the child without any warning."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
(informal) To excite, attract, or stimulate someone's interest, enthusiasm, or desire.
"What really turns him on is solving complex mathematical problems."
“
Tune in, turn on, drop out.
— Timothy Leary, counterculture slogan, 1960s
separable
4 C1 idiomatic formal
(formal) To depend or hinge upon a particular factor or question.
"The whole case turns on whether the witness was telling the truth."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To rotate a switch or valve to the open/on position.
Actually means
To start something electrical or mechanical, to suddenly attack someone, or to make someone feel excited or interested.
Usage tip
Three major senses. The device sense is A2. The attack sense ('the dog turned on him') is B1, always intransitive in that context. The excitement/arousal sense is informal and can be sexual or non-sexual ('jazz really turns me on'). Also used as 'turn on' = to depend on ('it all turns on one question').
Words that pair with "turn on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
light TV tap music dog crowd
How to conjugate "turn on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
turn on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
turns on
he/she/it
Past simple
turned on
yesterday
Past participle
turned on
have + pp
-ing form
turning on
continuous
Hear "turn on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "turn on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.