turn on

phrasal verb [transitive]
Word forms "turn on":
present tense I/you/we/they turn on he/she/it turns on present participle turning on past tense turned on past participle turned on

1)

a) to make a piece of equipment start working by pressing a button or moving a switch

Is your computer turned on?

b) to start using a supply of water, gas, or electricity by turning a tap, pressing a button, or moving a switch

Turn on the outside tap, will you?

2) turn something on to make a deliberate effort to use a special quality that you have in order to achieve something

He'll have to turn on all his charm to persuade her.

3) turn something on someonesomething to direct something at someone or something

The hoses were turned on the demonstrators.

4) turn on something to be the issue, fact, or point that something depends on most

The trial turned on the medical evidence presented by the defence.

5) turn on someone to suddenly start angrily criticizing someone or shouting at them

6) turn on someone to suddenly attack someone violently

Dan suddenly turned on her and yelled at her to be quiet.

7) turn someone on to make someone feel sexually attracted or sexually excited

He's very nice, but he just doesn't turn me on.

8)

a) turn someone on

informal to make someone become interested in something turn someone on to something:

That book really turned me on to astronomy.

b) whatever turns you on

informal used for saying that something that interests someone else does not interest you