in turn

People do something, or things happen, one after another.

• Each child spoke in turn.
• She opened the boxes in turn.
• We visited each of the islands in turn.

Similar words: one after another, one by one, successively

Opposites: simultaneously

Common phrases: each in turn, speak in turn, ask in turn

The same kind of relationship continues with the next person or thing in a series.

• Plants feed insects, which in turn feed birds.
• She reports to a manager, who in turn reports to the director.
• Warm weather melts ice, which in turn raises sea levels.

Similar words: in their turn, in its turn

Common phrases: which in turn, who in turn

Someone does something in response to what another person has done.

• I helped her, and she in turn helped me.
• They welcomed us, and we in turn invited them to dinner.
• He thanked the volunteers, who in turn thanked him for his support.

Similar words: in return, in response

Common phrases: help in turn, reply in turn, thank in turn

You do something when your proper place in a fixed order comes.

• Customers were served in turn.
• You are next in turn to play.
• Please wait in turn, even if you are in a hurry.

Similar words: in order, in sequence

Common phrases: next in turn, wait in turn, serve in turn