Upturn

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈʌp.tɜːn/

Definitions

1. A rise or improvement in a particular circumstance, usually associated with economic conditions or market performance
2. A beneficial change marked by an increase, often seen in financial or social trends
3. An increase or improvement in a situation, commonly related to economics or societal conditions

Etymology: "Upturn" is a plain compound: "up" joined to "turn", meaning a turning upward. Its earliest form in English was the verb "upturnen" in Middle English, built the same way, so the noun grew out of a physical action, the turning over or tipping up of something, before taking on its present sense. The economic meaning is a figurative extension of that upward movement. A "turn" in the sense of a change of direction, combined with "up", gives a shift toward better fortunes, so that a market or an economy that was sinking begins to rise. The image is one of a trend reversing course rather than of anything being physically flipped.

Synonyms: increase, rise, improvement, boost, gain

Antonyms: downturn, decline, decrease, drop, diminution