turn out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to cause (something, esp a light) to cease operating by or as if by turning a knob, etc

2. (tr) to produce by an effort or process

   she turned out 50 units per hour

3. (tr) to dismiss, discharge, or expel

   the family had been turned out of their home

4. (tr) to empty the contents of, esp in order to clean, tidy, or rearrange

   to turn out one's pockets

5. (copula)

   1. to prove to be

      her work turned out to be badly done

   2. to end up; result

      it all turned out well

6. (tr) to fit as with clothes

   that woman turns her children out well

7. (intr) to assemble or gather

   a crowd turned out for the fair

8. (of a soldier) to parade or to call (a soldier) to parade

9. informal (intr) to get out of bed

10. informal to make an appearance, esp in a sporting competition

    he was asked to turn out for Liverpool

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noun

1. the body of people appearing together at a gathering

2. the quantity or amount produced

3. an array of clothing or equipment

4. the manner in which a person or thing is arrayed or equipped

turn out Idioms  

1. Shut off, as in He turned out the light . [Late 1800s]

2. Arrive or assemble for an event, as in A large number of voters turned out for the rally . [Mid-1700s]

3. Produce, as in They turn out three thousand cars a month . [Mid-1700s]

4. Be found to be in the end; also, end up, result, as in The rookie turned out to be a fine fielder , or The cake didn't turn out very well . [First half of 1700s] Also see turn out all right .

5. Equip, outfit, as in The bride was turned out beautifully . [First half of 1800s]

6. Get out of bed, as in Come on, children; time to turn out . [ Colloquial ; early 1800s]

7. Evict, expel, as in The landlord turned out his tenant . [Early 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turn out

Maybe it wouldn’t turn out so bad after all.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2026

Guerra said the campaigns should be more focused instead on groups like Latino voters as well as voters who didn’t turn out for the primary but will for the November election.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 13, 2026

"If it doesn't turn out as expected then I think the sacrifice of this village would be quite unfortunate."

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

Before construction begins, everyone’s expectations should be clearly documented, especially if it does turn out — given what you say in your letter — that you are not allowed to subdivide this land.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

Maybe this new life would turn out to be bearable, after all.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Related Words

• appear
• come
• emerge
• show up