/ tjuːn; NAmE tuːn/ noun , verb
■ noun
[ C ] a series of musical notes that are sung or played in a particular order to form a piece of music :
He was humming a familiar tune.
I don't know the title but I recognize the tune.
It was a catchy tune (= song) .
a football song sung to the tune of (= using the tune of) 'When the saints go marching in'
—see also signature tune , theme tune
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IDIOMS
- be in / out of tune (with sb/sth)
- in / out of tune
- to the tune of sth
—more at call verb , change verb , dance verb , pay verb , sing
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to adjust a musical instrument so that it plays at the correct pitch :
to tune a guitar
2.
to adjust an engine so that it runs smoothly and as well as possible
3.
[ usually passive ] tune sth (in) (to sth) to adjust the controls on a radio or television so that you can receive a particular programme or channel :
The radio was tuned (in) to the BBC World Service.
( informal )
Stay tuned for the news coming up next.
4.
tune sth (to sth) to prepare or adjust sth so that it is suitable for a particular situation :
His speech was tuned to what the audience wanted to hear.
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- tune in (to sth)
- tune in to sb/sth
- tune out | tune sb/sth out
- tune up | tune sth up
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : unexplained alteration of tone . The verb is first recorded (late 15th cent.) in the sense celebrate in music, sing .