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APG.American
Pronunciation Guide
HOW TO PRONOUNCE

turtle

/ˈtɝtl̩/

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What does turtle mean?

noun

  1. Any land, aquatic, or semi-aquatic reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.
  2. A marine reptile of that order.
  3. Senses resembling a turtle in protection
More meanings (26)

noun

  1. A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.
  2. An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.
  3. A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk".
  4. A position reminiscent of a turtle.
  5. A position in which a person drops down all fours, limbs and chin tucked in, to protect their core.
  6. A low stand for a lamp, etc.
  7. A candy with pecans, caramel, and chocolate, often shaped like a turtle.
  8. Senses resembling a turtle in slowness
  9. A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position.
  10. A turtle-neck garment.
  11. A member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles, a drinking club.
  12. (historical) An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.
  13. (historical) The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.
  14. (archaic) A turtle dove.

verb

  1. To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.
  2. To turn and swim upside down.
  3. To capsize, turning fully over.
  4. To fall with one arm behind a rope, forcing the climber to dangle on their back, leaving them helpless.
  5. To move along slowly.
  6. To hunt turtles, especially in the water.
  7. To build up a large defense force and strike only occasionally, rather than going for an offensive strategy.
  8. (slang) Ellipsis of turtle head (“to struggle to hold back an imminent bowel movement”).

proper noun

  1. A river in Saskatchewan, Canada.
  2. An extinct town in Dent County, Missouri, United States.
  3. A town in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States.
  4. A surname, thought to be derived from the turtle dove.
Wiktionary contributors Wiktionary contributors

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈtɝtl̩/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

So they went up to the Mock Turtle, who looked at them with large eyes full of tears, but said nothing.
Lewis CarrollAlice's Adventures in WonderlandProject Gutenberg ebook #11
They brought three Tracajás, a turtle, and a basketful of Tracajá eggs, to exchange with me for cotton cloth and cashaça.
Henry Walter BatesThe Naturalist on the River AmazonsProject Gutenberg ebook #2440
More book examples (3)
A sudden change in the weather coming on, I got no more turtle or fish of any sort before reaching port.
Joshua SlocumSailing Alone Around the WorldProject Gutenberg ebook #6317
Moreover, it is strictly true that most ships will sail without ballast for some little time before they turn turtle upon the crew.
Joseph ConradThe Mirror of the SeaProject Gutenberg ebook #1058
Most of the turtle here caught were of the kind called green turtle, and their weight was from two to three hundred pounds.
Andrew KippisNarrative of the Voyages Round the World, Performed by Captain James Cook With an Account of His Life During the Previous and Intervening PeriodsProject Gutenberg ebook #7777