turn out

To have a particular result or be a particular way in the end.

• The party turned out well.
• My first cake turned out better than I expected.
• How did your interview turn out?

How to use it: turn out + adjective (The cake turned out delicious.); turn out + adverb (Everything turned out well in the end.)

Similar words: end up, work out

Common phrases: turn out well, turn out badly, turn out fine

You discover that something is true, often when you expected something different.

• It turns out I was wrong.
• The lost ring turned out to be in my bag.
• As it turned out, nobody needed our help.

How to use it: it turns out that… (It turns out that we live on the same street.); turn out to be something (The stranger turned out to be her cousin.)

Similar words: prove, emerge

Common phrases: turn out true, turn out false, turn out differently

If something you make or plan succeeds, it gives the result you wanted.

• I hope the cake turns out.
• Our holiday turned out well.
• Did your first painting turn out as you hoped?

How to use it: turn out + adverb (The bread turned out perfectly.)

Similar words: work out, succeed

Opposites: fail

Common phrases: turn out well, turn out badly, turn out fine

If people attend an event, they go there, often in large numbers.

• Lots of fans turned out.
• Only ten people turned out for the meeting.
• Will voters turn out despite the rain?

How to use it: turn out for something (Thousands turned out for the festival.); turn out to do something (Many neighbors turned out to welcome her.)

Similar words: show up, attend

Common phrases: turn out today, turn out early, turn out together

You stop a light or device from working by using its switch.

• Turn out the light, please.
• She turned out the lamps before bed.
• Have you turned them out yet?

How to use it: turn out something / turn something out (Please turn the lights out.)

Similar words: turn off, switch off

Opposites: switch on

Common phrases: turn out lights, turn out lamps

A person or business makes things, often many of them.

• This factory turns out shoes.
• The kitchen turned out fifty meals in an hour.
• How many books can the printer turn out each day?

How to use it: turn out something / turn something out (The workshop turns out wooden toys.)

Similar words: produce, make, manufacture

Common phrases: turn out cars, turn out bread, turn out products