turnover
C1Formal (business), Informal (pastry), Technical (sports, HR)
Definition
Meaning
The rate at which employees leave a workforce and are replaced; the amount of money taken by a business in a particular period.
A small pastry made by folding a piece of pastry over a filling; the rate of sale and replacement of goods in inventory; in sports (basketball, American football), an instance of losing possession of the ball to the opposing team; the act of turning something over, like soil or a page.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary meanings cluster around the concept of 'replacement' (of people, goods, money) and the physical act of 'turning over'. Context is crucial for disambiguation. In finance, it's close to 'revenue'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In business contexts, both use it similarly. 'Apple turnover' is common for the pastry in both, but in the US, it might also be called a 'hand pie'. In sports, 'turnover' is more prevalent in American English (basketball/football). 'Labour turnover' is a common UK HR phrase.
Connotations
In business, a high 'staff turnover' is negative, implying instability. High 'sales turnover' is positive, indicating good business.
Frequency
Higher frequency in business and HR contexts in both varieties. The sports usage is significantly more frequent in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Adj] turnoverturnover of [Noun (e.g., $1m, staff)]turnover in [Noun (e.g., personnel, stock)]a turnoverthe turnoverVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turnover a new leaf (a play on 'turn over a new leaf', not standard)”
- “A turnover situation (sports)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company's annual turnover exceeded £5 million for the first time.
Academic
The study examined the correlation between job satisfaction and employee turnover.
Everyday
I'll have a coffee and an apple turnover, please.
Technical
The point guard's costly turnover in the final minute cost them the game.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (turnover is not a verb; the phrasal verb is 'turn over')
American English
- N/A (turnover is not a verb; the phrasal verb is 'turn over')
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The turnover rate is concerning.
- We need to address turnover costs.
American English
- The turnover rate is concerning.
- They reviewed the turnover data from last quarter.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The bakery sells delicious apple turnovers.
- The shop has a high turnover of seasonal staff.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bakery: The TURNOVER of pastry (one meaning) sells quickly, leading to a high TURNOVER of cash (another meaning), but if the bakers keep leaving, there's also a high staff TURNOVER.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUSINESS IS A WHEEL (things/people/money turn over and are replaced). POSSESSION IS HOLDING (losing the ball is a 'turnover').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'оборот' in all financial contexts; 'выручка' or 'товарооборот' are often closer. 'Текучесть кадров' is the specific term for staff turnover. The pastry is 'сладкий пирожок'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'turnover' to mean 'profit' (it's revenue, not net income). Saying 'a turnover of employees' instead of 'employee turnover' or 'a high staff turnover'.
Practice
Quiz
In a basketball commentary, what does 'turnover' most likely refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Turnover (in business) refers to the total amount of money received from sales (revenue). Profit is what remains after all expenses, taxes, and costs are subtracted from the turnover.
No. 'Turnover' is a noun. The related action is expressed by the phrasal verb 'to turn over' (e.g., turn over the soil, turn over a page).
Typically, a high staff turnover is seen negatively as it implies employees are leaving frequently, which can indicate poor morale, high recruitment costs, and loss of experience. Some low-level turnover is considered normal and healthy.
They are closely related in HR. 'Turnover' generally refers to the overall rate of employees leaving. 'Attrition' often specifically refers to employees leaving voluntarily (resignation, retirement) and not being replaced, leading to a reduction in workforce size.
Collections
Part of a collection
Business Vocabulary
B1 · 50 words · Fundamental language of commerce and trade.