WordVale

turn out

to result; to happen in the end

In Phrasal Verbs

In more detail

1. (verb) to happen or develop in a particular way; to result

2. (verb) to produce or manufacture something

3. (verb) to switch off a light or device

4. (verb) to empty a container by removing its contents

5. (verb) to come out or appear in public

Examples

• 1. Everything turned out fine despite the difficult start.
• 2. The factory turns out thousands of products every day.
• 3. Don't forget to turn out the lights when you leave.

How to use turn out

Turn out is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate the final outcome or result of something, often with a sense of surprise or inevitability. It can mean to develop in a certain way (things turned out better than expected), to produce or manufacture (the factory turns out 500 units daily), or to switch off (turn out the lights). The phrase turn out to be is particularly common when revealing an actual or unexpected identity or nature.

Common phrases

• turn out well
• turn out badly
• turn out to be
• turn out fine
• turn out right

Synonyms

result · emerge · occur · prove to be · work out

Opposites

turn on · switch on

Word family

turning out · turned out · turns out

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse turn out with turn on when discussing lighting; turn out means to switch off, while turn on means to switch on. Additionally, learners may miss the idiomatic force of turn out and treat it as a literal physical action.

Nearby in Phrasal Verbs

take up, touch on, turn down, turn up, watch out, wear off

Keep going

How to remember the words you read · Spaced repetition, explained