Meaning & use
turn outward
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Meanings
verbintransitive
To move or face toward the outside or away from the center.
Grammar: No object; often used with body parts or objects: Her feet turn outward.
Patterns
- turn outward
- turn outward from something
His toes turn outward when he walks.
The petals turn outward as the flower opens.
She turned outward to face the audience.
verbintransitivefigurative
To direct your attention or interest away from yourself and toward other people or the world.
Grammar: Often used figuratively: After the crisis, he turned outward and helped others.
Patterns
- turn outward
- turn outward to someone
After years of focusing on himself, he turned outward and joined a charity.
The company turned outward to find new markets.
She turned outward to her friends for support.
Word forms
| third person singular | turns outward |
|---|---|
| past tense | turned outward |
| past participle | turned outward |
| -ing form | turning outward |
Common combinations
- feet turn outward
- Many dancers' feet turn outward naturally.
- turn outward from the center
- The spokes turn outward from the center of the wheel.
- turn outward to face
- He turned outward to face the window.
Synonyms and how they differ
- face outward
- Face outward means to be directed toward the outside; turn outward emphasizes the movement of turning.
- rotate outward
- Rotate outward is more technical and suggests a circular movement; turn outward is more general.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: turn outward or outwards?
turn outward vs outwards
Outwards is a British adverb meaning toward the outside; turn outward is a phrase with the verb turn.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'turn outward' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Turn outward' is intransitive, so it doesn't take a direct object. 'Turned outward to greet' correctly shows direction without an object.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “turn outward”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.