to tune

Examples

• All

• Tune your radio to the Fort Myers Airport frequency.

  On a Wing and a Prayer (2023)

• Tuning an instrument requires an ability to listen and hear that each string is tuned to the correct pitch.

  Academic text (2018)

• Do you know how to tune a guitar?

  I Still Believe (2020)

• Develop a "buddy" system so that students can help each other tune their instruments.

  Academic text (1992)

• He is really only fit to tune your violin.

  Chevalier (2023)

• In the hallway, Max stops to tune his cello and then starts up again.

  Fiction book (1990)

• Ma'am, if you don't mind, would you tune this guitar for me?

  Theo Von

• I tuned it myself.

  Dune: Part Two (2024)

• Soloists, chamber, and large ensembles at all levels of experience tune before performing.

  Academic text (2015)

• Please tune your guitar before the performance to ensure it sounds great.

Synonyms

F

to fine-tune

vsto tune

26 4.2

To make small changes so something works better

applies specifically to adjusting instrument pitch to reach correct notes

T

to tune up

vsto tune

1 3.4

To adjust a musical instrument so it plays the correct notes

is the single word form used for the same action

R

to retune

vsto tune

1 4.5

Adjust a musical instrument so it sounds in tune

focuses on setting pitch to produce correct notes rather than improving quality

Antonyms

D

to detune

• Specialized

1 6.6

To change a musical instrument so its pitch is different from normal

Idioms

I

in tune

31 3.7

Agreeing and working well with other people or ideas

T

to the tune of

• Literature

26 6.1

An amount of money, often a large sum

O

out of tune

12 3.3

Notes are at the wrong pitch so a piano or violin sounds bad

C

to carry a tune

10 4.5

To sing in tune without going off-key

C

to change one's tune

• Informal

6 5.1

To show a different opinion after you were against it before

C

to call the tune

• Informal

3 7.0

To have control and make the main decisions

S

to sing the same tune

1 4.6

To agree with others, often in public

C

to carry a tune in a bucket

• Informal

9.1

To sing very badly and out of tune

C

to change someone's tune

• Informal

5.0

To have a different opinion after seeing new facts or benefits

Phrasal Verbs

T

to tune in

100 3.2

Set a radio or TV to a program to follow it

T

to tune out

• Informal

19 4.4

To stop listening or paying attention to what is happening

T

to tune up

2 3.9

To make a machine or instrument work better by checking and fixing it

T

to tune up

1 3.4

To adjust a musical instrument so it plays the correct notes

Compounds

T

tune-up

10 4.1

A service that adjusts and checks an engine so it runs better

C

catchy tune

3 1.9

A melody like a song in an ad that is easy to remember and sing

T

tune-up

1 3.4

A short practice session to prepare for a sport or event

S

signature tune

• UK

1 4.4

A short, easy to recognize piece of music that identifies a show or performer

L

lively tune

1 2.5

A cheerful piece of music with a quick, happy beat

C

coon tune

• Slur

9.9

An old style of song linked to racist shows with offensive lyrics

L

loony tune

• Slang

9.7

A very silly or crazy idea

L

loony tune moment

• Slang

9.8

A short time when someone acts very silly and makes people laugh

How Tuned

to fine-tune

26 4.2

to retune

1 4.5

to tune

163 1.8

to detune

• Specialized

1 6.6

Surface Forms

Etymology