tune

A series of musical notes that form a song or a recognizable piece of music.

• I like this tune.
• She hummed a cheerful tune while cooking.
• Can you play that tune on the piano?

Similar words: melody, song

Common phrases: catchy tune, play a tune, hum a tune, familiar tune

An adjustment to a machine or engine to make it work better.

• The engine needs a tune.
• A good tune made the old motor run smoothly.
• The mechanic gave my car a thorough tune.

Similar words: tune-up, adjustment

Common phrases: engine tune, good tune, needs a tune

To adjust a musical instrument so that it produces the correct notes.

• Please tune your guitar.
• He tuned the piano before the concert.
• Have you learned how to tune a violin?

How to use it: tune something to something (She tuned her guitar to a lower pitch.)

Common phrases: tune a guitar, tune the piano, tune an instrument

To watch a television program or listen to a radio broadcast.

• Tune in tonight!
• Millions tuned in to watch the final.
• Do you tune in to her weekly radio show?

How to use it: tune in to something (We tune in to the news every evening.); tune in for something (Tune in for tomorrow's live interview.)

Similar words: watch, listen

Common phrases: tune in, tune in tonight, tune into something

To adjust a radio or television so it receives a particular station or channel.

• Can you tune the radio?
• She tuned the receiver to a stronger station.
• Tune to this frequency for emergency information.

How to use it: tune something to something (Tune the radio to the local news station.); tune to something (Tune to channel four for the weather report.)

Common phrases: tune the radio, tune to something, tune a receiver

To adjust a machine or system so that it works as well as possible.

• The mechanic tuned the engine.
• We tuned the system to use less energy.
• Carefully tuning these settings can improve performance.

How to use it: tune something for something (They tuned the engine for maximum power.)

Similar words: adjust, optimize

Common phrases: tune an engine, tune the system, tune for performance

To direct your senses or thoughts toward something so you notice or understand it better.

• Tune your ears to the music.
• Her attention was tuned to changes in his voice.
• He gradually tuned into the needs of his new team.

How to use it: tune something to something (She tuned her ears to the birds' calls.); be tuned to something (His senses were tuned to every sound in the dark.); tune into something (Try to tune into your child's feelings.)

Similar words: attune, focus

Common phrases: tune into something, tune your ears, tune your senses

Something you say to show that you really like the song playing.

• Tune! Turn it up!
• Tune, mate! I love this song.
• When the DJ played her favorite song, she shouted, 'Tune!'

Common phrases: tune mate, yes tune