tune
(to͞on, tyo͞on)n.1. Music a. A melody, especially a simple and easily remembered one.
b. A song.
c. The state of being in correct pitch: sang out of tune; played in tune with the piano.
d. Obsolete A musical tone.
2. a. Concord or agreement; harmony: in tune with the times.
b. Archaic Frame of mind; disposition.
3. Electronics Adjustment of a receiver or circuit for maximum response to a given signal or frequency.
v. tuned, tun·ing, tunes
v.tr.1. a. Music To put into proper pitch: tuned the violin.
b. Archaic To utter musically; sing.
2. To adjust or adopt in order to meet specific requirements or conditions, especially:
a. To adjust (an electronic receiver) to a desired frequency.
b. To adjust (an electronic circuit) so as to make it resonant with a given input signal.
c. To adjust (an engine, for example) for maximum usability or performance.
d. To adjust the wavelength output of (a laser).
v.intr. To become attuned.
Phrasal Verbs: tune in1. Electronics To adjust a receiver to receive signals at a particular frequency or a particular program.
2. Slang To make or become aware or responsive: "Nobody tunes in to what anybody else is saying" (Bruce Allen).
tune out1. Electronics To adjust a receiver so as not to receive a particular signal.
2. Slang a. To disassociate oneself from one's environment: "The average reader, used to seeing the world in three-dimensional color, tunes out" (Carlin Romano).
b. To become unresponsive to; ignore: tuned out the children's screaming.
tune up1. Music To adjust an instrument to a desired pitch or key.
2. To adjust a machine so as to put it into proper condition.
3. To prepare for a specified activity.
Idiom: to the tune of To the sum or extent of: produced profits to the tune of $10 million.
[Middle English, variant of tone, tone; see tone.]
tun′a·ble, tune′a·ble adj.
tun′a·bly, tune′a·bly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
tune
(tjuːn) n1. (Music, other) a melody, esp one for which harmony is not essential
2. (Music, other) the most important part in a musical texture: the cello has the tune at that point.
3. (Music, other) the condition of producing accurately pitched notes, intervals, etc (esp in the phrases in tune, out of tune): he can't sing in tune.
4. (Music, other) 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.
5. (Electronics) 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)
6. a frame of mind; disposition or mood
7. (Music, other) obsolete a musical sound; note
8. call the tune to be in control of the proceedings
9. change one's tune sing another tune sing another a different tune to alter one's attitude or tone of speech
10. to the tune of informal to the amount or extent of: costs to the tune of a hundred pounds.
vb11. (Music, other) to adjust (a musical instrument or a changeable part of one) to a certain pitch
12. (Music, other) to adjust (a note, etc) so as to bring it into harmony or concord
13. (tr) to adapt or adjust (oneself); attune: to tune oneself to a slower life.
14. (Automotive Engineering) (often foll by: up) to make fine adjustments to (an engine, machine, etc) to obtain optimum performance
15. (Electronics) electronics to adjust (one or more circuits) for resonance at a desired frequency
16. (Music, other) obsolete to utter (something) musically or in the form of a melody; sing
17. tune someone grief slang South African to annoy or harass someone
[C14: variant of tone]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
tune
(tun, tyun)
n., v. tuned, tun•ing. n. 1. a succession of musical sounds forming an air or melody.
2. the state of being in the proper pitch: to be in tune.
3. agreement in pitch; unison; harmony.
4. proper adjustment, as of radio instruments or circuits with respect to frequency.
5. harmonious relationship; accord; agreement.
v.t. 6. to adjust (a musical instrument) to a correct or given standard of pitch (often fol. by up).
7. to bring (someone or something) into harmony or agreement.
8. to adjust (a motor, mechanism, or the like) for proper functioning.
9. to adjust (a radio or television) so as to receive signals from a particular transmitting station.
10. to put into or cause to be in a receptive condition, mood, etc.
v.i. 11. to be in harmony or accord; become responsive.
12. tune in, to adjust a radio or television so as to receive (signals, a particular station, etc.).
13. tune out, a. to adjust a radio or television so as to avoid (static, interference, etc.).
b. Slang. to stop paying attention to.
14. tune up, a. to cause a group of musical instruments to be brought to the same pitch.
b. to bring into proper operating order, as a motor.
Idioms: 1. change one's tune, to reverse one's opinions; change one's mind.
2. sing or whistle a different tune, to contradict one's previous opinions in response to changes in one's circumstances.
3. to the tune of, in the amount of; for the cost of.
[1350–1400; Middle English (n.); unexplained variant of
tone]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.