tune

1 of 2

noun

ˈtün 

ˈtyün

1

a

: a pleasing succession of musical tones : melody

b

: a dominant theme

2

: correct musical pitch or consonance

—used chiefly in the phrases in tune and out of tune

3

a

: agreement, harmony

in tune with the times

b

: general attitude : approach

changed his tune when the going got rough

c

archaic : a frame of mind : mood

4

: amount, extent

custom-made to the tune of $40 to $50 apiece

—Amer. Fabrics

5

a

: manner of utterance : intonation

specifically : phonetic modulation

b

archaic : quality of sound : tone

tune

2 of 2

verb

tuned; tuning

transitive verb

1

: to adjust in musical pitch or cause to be in tune

tuned her guitar

2

a

: to bring into harmony : attune

b

: to adjust for precise functioning

—often used with up

tune up an engine

c

: to make more precise, intense, or effective

3

: to adjust with respect to resonance at a particular frequency: such as

a

: to adjust (a radio or television receiver) to respond to waves of a particular frequency

—often used with in

b

: to establish radio contact with

tune in a directional beacon

4

: to adjust the frequency of the output of (a device) to a chosen frequency or range of frequencies

also : to alter the frequency of (radiation)

intransitive verb

1

: to become attuned

2

: to adjust a radio or television receiver to respond to waves of a particular frequency

Synonyms

Noun

• air
• lay
• melody
• song
• strain
• warble

Examples of tune in a Sentence

Noun

hummed a little tune while I sorted the laundry

your negative assessment of the restaurant seems to be in tune with the opinions of the critics

Verb

The piano needs to be tuned.

We tuned our bikes before the road trip.

The mechanic tuned the engine.

The copilot tuned the radio to hear the message.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Strategic location choices, enticing interiors, and staying in tune with shifting consumer preferences will help retailers build lasting connections with shoppers — driving growth that carries on long after the holiday frenzy fades. —Naveen Jaggi, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

In this week’s crop of new tunes, Willie Nelson and Ringo Starr issue sterling new songs, once again showcasing their timeless approaches, while Drew Baldridge follows his breakthrough hit with a new track celebrating steely determination and fortitude. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2024

Verb

The van’s low center of gravity and shorter-travel suspension are tuned for maximum comfort and control on pavement. —Karl Brauer, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024

The show started off with a minuscule six-episode order at NBC (not exactly a vote of confidence) and yada yada yada ended in 1998 with 76 million people tuning into the series finale. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tune, tuin, tewne "musical sound, melody, key of a musical composition," borrowed from Anglo-French tun, ton, tuen tone entry 1

Note: In Middle English tune is effectively a variant of tone, but both forms are irregular outcomes of their Anglo-French sources (see note at tone entry 1). In the case of tune, the vowel nucleus seems to have fallen together with the outcomes of the French diphthong ui, as in june and puny.

Verb

derivative of tune entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5b

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing tune

• auto-tune
• call the tune
• change one's tune
• dance to someone's tune
• dance to the tune of (someone)
• fine-tune
• he who pays the piper calls the tune
• in tune
• out of tune
• show tune
• sing a different tune
• to the tune of
• tune in
• tune out
• tune-up

Kids Definition

tune

1 of 2 noun

ˈt(y)ün 

1

: a succession of pleasing musical tones : melody

2

: correct musical pitch or consonance

the piano was not in tune

3

: agreement sense 1b, harmony

in tune with the times

4

: general attitude

changed their tune after reading the report

tune

2 of 2 verb

tuned; tuning

1

: to adjust in musical pitch

tuned my guitar

the orchestra was tuning up

2

: to come or bring into harmony

3

: to adjust a radio or television so that it receives clearly

—often used with in

4

: to put (as an engine) in good working order

—often used with up