From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishturn out phrasal verb1 HAPPENto happen in a particular way, or to have a particular result, especially one that you did not expectturn out well/badly/fine etc It was a difficult time, but eventually things turned out all right.it turns out (that) It turned out that I was wrong. As it turned out (=used to say what happened in the end), he passed the exam quite easily.turn out to be something That guy turned out to be Maria’s second cousin.2 turn the light outSWITCH ON OR OFF to stop the flow of electricity to a light by pressing a switch, pulling a string etc Don’t forget to turn out the lights when you go!3 GO TO/ATTENDif a lot of people turn out for an event, they go to watch it or take part in it for About 70% of the population turned out for the election.turn out to do something Thousands turned out to watch yesterday’s match against Ireland. → turnout4 turn somebody ↔ outLEAVE A PLACE to force someone to leave a place permanently, especially their home If you can’t pay the rent, they turn you out.5 turn something ↔ outMAKE to produce or make something The factory turns out 300 units a day.6 well/beautifully/badly etc turned outWEAR CLOTHES dressed in good, beautiful etc clothes elegantly turned-out young ladies7 turn something ↔ out a) to empty something completely by taking out the contents The policeman made him turn out his pockets. b) British English to take out everything in a room, drawer etc and clean the room etc thoroughly Lea decided to turn out the attic. → turn→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
turn out• We wanted the baby to be born at home, but it didn't quite turn out as planned.• How did things turn out in the end?• As it turned out, James was delayed and didn't arrive until three.• The thieves had turned out the drawer, scattering the contents on the floor.• Don't forget to turn out the lights when you go to bed, okay Annie?• The headteacher told them to turn out their pockets.• I was a bit doubtful at first, but it turned out to be a really good idea.• We were worried when only twenty people came to the party but it turned out very well.turn out well/badly/fine etc• And as I watch Scottie try to turn this woman into Madeleine, I hope that everything will turn out fine.• I promise you it will all turn out fine.• If Willy Loman had only had it so good, his kids might have turned out better.• Perhaps it hadn't turned out well, and he'd been blamed.• Everything will turn out well because you are not doing it for selfish reasons.• Yes: the day was turning out well, despite the rain.• Reading turned out badly, much worse than I had feared.• He has turned out badly, my young uncle, a delinquent practically.turn the light out• I take the car up as far as it will go, then turn the lights out.• They turned the lights out and sat in fear.• He turned the light out as the clergyman left the room.• Would you mind turning the light out, Robert?turn for• And even more turned out for a follow-up evening session in early 1996.• He turns out for Alderton in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Sunday league.• Read in studio Voice over Kevin Maxwell has caused a stir by turning out for his village cricket team.• I turned out for North Melbourne in 1948-49, but for some reason was not selected for Victoria.• The large black population of those four biggest states will not turn out for Pat Buchanan.• This could all turn out for the best if he played his cards right.• Well, that may turn out for the best.• And Hoddle's Heroes ... a town turns out for the big salute.• How many people turned out for the parade?well/beautifully/badly etc turned out• Mr. Russ's deputy was Mr. Windust, then probably in his late thirties - always smart and well turned out.• He looks trim and well turned out in a new dark suit.From Longman Business Dictionaryturn something → out phrasal verb [transitive] to produce or make a lot of a particular productThe factory turns out 300 units a day. → turn→ See Verb table 