tune
[ toon, tyoon ]
/ tun, tyun /
noun
a succession of musical sounds forming an air or melody, with or without the harmony accompanying it.
a musical setting of a hymn, poem, psalm, etc., usually in four-part harmony.
the state of being in the proper pitch: to be in tune.
agreement in pitch; unison; harmony.
proper adjustment, as of radio instruments or circuits with respect to frequency.
harmonious relationship; accord; agreement.
Archaic.
frame of mind; mood.
Obsolete.
a tone or sound.
verb (used with object), tuned, tun·ing.
to adjust (a musical instrument) to a correct or given standard of pitch (often followed by up).
to adapt (the voice, song, etc.) to a particular tone, to the expression of a particular feeling, or the like.
to bring (someone or something) into harmony.
to adjust (a motor, mechanism, or the like) for proper functioning.
Radio and Television.
- to adjust (a circuit, frequency, or the like) so as to bring it into resonance with another circuit, a given frequency, or the like.
- to adjust (a receiving apparatus) so as to make it compatible in frequency with a transmitting apparatus whose signals are to be received.
- to adjust (a receiving apparatus) so as to receive the signals of a particular transmitting station.
to put into or cause to be in a receptive condition, mood, etc.; bring into harmony or agreement.
Archaic.
- to utter, sound, or express musically.
- to play upon (a lyre).
verb (used without object), tuned, tun·ing.
to put a musical instrument in tune (often followed by up).
to give forth a musical sound.
to be in harmony or accord; become responsive.
Verb Phrases
tune in,
to adjust a radio or television set so as to receive (signals, a particular station, etc.).
tune out,
- to adjust a radio or television set so as to stop or avoid receiving (a station or channel).
- Slang. to stop paying attention to a person, situation, etc.
tune up,
- to cause a group of musical instruments to be brought to the same pitch.
- to begin to sing.
- to bring into proper operating order, as a motor: Before starting on our trip we should have the car tuned up.
Idioms for tune
call the tune,
to decide matters of policy; control: He was technically running the business, but his father still called the tune.
change one's tune,
to reverse one's views; change one's mind: She changed her tune about children when she married and had her own.
sing a different tune,
to be forced to change one's ways, attitude, behavior, etc.: He will sing a different tune when he has to earn his own money.
to the tune of, Informal.
in or about the amount of: In order to expand, they will need capital to the tune of six million dollars.
Origin of tune
1350–1400; Middle English (noun); unexplained variant of
tone
OTHER WORDS FROM tune
mis·tune, verb, mis·tuned, mis·tun·ing.
non·tuned, adjective
re·tune, verb (used with object), re·tuned, re·tun·ing.
un·der·tune, noun
un·der·tune, verb (used with object), un·der·tuned, un·der·tun·ing.
un·tuned, adjective
well-tuned, adjective
Words nearby tune
tunbridge ware,
tunbridge wells,
tundish,
tundra,
tundra swan,
tune,
tune in,
tune out,
tune up,
tune-up,
tuneful
Example sentences from the Web for tuning
Although polls now show Schwartz trailing, she insists there is still time and that people are just now tuning in.
Devotees across the country are tuning in each way to check the rose distribution against their carefully crafted brackets.
Fans of ‘The Bachelor’ Embrace Brackets, Bookies, and Buy-ins in Online Betting Pools |Nina Strochlic |January 20, 2014 |DAILY BEASTWhen a horror series is not horrifying, the suspense that keeps you tuning in is gone.
Erin Cunningham on why you should still be tuning in to Dick Wolf's addictive procedural.
'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit's' Wild and Crazy 15th Season Premiere |Erin Cunningham |September 26, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
No one is tuning in to find out if Norma will die, or if Norman will kill her.
‘Bates Motel’ Debate: Sex Scenes, Mother Issues & Implausible Twists |Jace Lacob, Anna Klassen |April 15, 2013 |DAILY BEASTThe tuning of a harp immediately before playing is sometimes a very tedious business.
The Ladies' Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners |Eliza LeslieMore often, however, they break from being rusty at the point where they pass over the bridge or around the tuning pin.
Piano Tuning |J. Cree FischerIt appears to me like an orchestra that never got further than the tuning of the instruments!
The Dodd Family Abroad, Vol. I.(of II) |Charles James LeverAs a matter of fact a tuning fork is simply a steel bar bent in the middle so that the two ends are parallel.
The Radio Amateur's Hand Book |A. Frederick CollinsJake bowed his ready acquiescence to the request and kept right on tuning up.
The Girl of the Golden West |David Belasco
British Dictionary definitions for tuning (1 of 2)
tuning
/ (ˈtjuːnɪŋ) /
noun music
a set of pitches to which the open strings of a guitar, violin, etc, are tuned
the normal tuning on a violin is G, D, A, E
the accurate pitching of notes and intervals by a choir, orchestra, etc; intonation
British Dictionary definitions for tuning (2 of 2)
tune
/ (tjuːn) /
noun
a melody, esp one for which harmony is not essential
the most important part in a musical texture
the cello has the tune at that point
the condition of producing accurately pitched notes, intervals, etc (esp in the phrases in tune, out of tune)
he can't sing in tune
accurate correspondence of pitch and intonation between instruments (esp in the phrases in tune, out of tune)
the violin is not in tune with the piano
the correct adjustment of a radio, television, or some other electronic circuit with respect to the required frequency (esp in the phrases in tune, out of tune)
a frame of mind; disposition or mood
obsolete
a musical sound; note
call the tune
to be in control of the proceedings
change one's tune, sing another tune or sing another a different tune
to alter one's attitude or tone of speech
to the tune of informal
to the amount or extent of
costs to the tune of a hundred pounds
verb
to adjust (a musical instrument or a changeable part of one) to a certain pitch
to adjust (a note, etc) so as to bring it into harmony or concord
(tr)
to adapt or adjust (oneself); attune
to tune oneself to a slower life
(tr often foll by up)
to make fine adjustments to (an engine, machine, etc) to obtain optimum performance
electronics
to adjust (one or more circuits) for resonance at a desired frequency
obsolete
to utter (something) musically or in the form of a melody; sing
tune someone grief Southern African slang
to annoy or harass someone
Word Origin for tune
C14: variant of
tone
Idioms and Phrases with tuning
tune
In addition to the idioms beginning with tune
- tune in
- tune out
- tune up
also see:
- call the tune
- carry a tune
- change one's tune
- dance to another tune
- in tune
- to the tune of