signature tune
1
4.4
- noun
- UK
:
sintonía
- After viewing this movie, you can't help but find yourself singing some of the signature tunes.
- signature tune, "Sing
- signature tune, Respect
- becomes his signature tune
Examples
-
"It became the band's signature tune and the most immediately recognizable theme song in the jazz literature."
Academic text (1999) -
While he sings what becomes his signature tune about the woman being fickle, it is ironic that he is blissfully unaware of who personifies the volatile and fickle character in the opera.
Academic text (2017) -
The show's signature tune plays every time it begins, making it instantly recognizable.
-
She hummed the iconic signature tune of the series while waiting for the next episode to air.
-
The film's signature tune is so memorable that many people can recall it even years later.
Synonyms
61
5.5
A short tune that people connect with a show or performer
56
3.0
A short catchy song used in advertising to promote a product
48
2.5
A short piece of music that plays at the start of a TV show or for a performer
How Recognizable
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'signature' in the sense of 'identifying/characteristic' combined with 'tune' (melody) yields ‘a characteristic melody that identifies a show or performer’. This is a regular, predictable English noun compound with cross-linguistic parallels, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
Signature tune uses signature (a personal mark) and tune (a short melody). Early radio and TV shows used a small, unique melody at the start or end so people listening would know which show it was. That's why it means 'a short melody that identifies a show, performer, or brand'.