tune
/tjuːn/ (bre, ipa) · /tuːn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtün ˈtyün/ (ame, mw)
tune — noun
- tunesingular
- tunesplural
1. a short sequence of notes that combine into a pleasant, recognizable piece of mu
a short sequence of notes that combine into a pleasant, recognizable piece of music, usually without words.
Jiwoo hummed a cheerful tune while walking to school this morning.
collocation: hum a tune
The piano teacher asked Dahlia to play that same tune once more.
collocation: play a tune
An old folk tune came on the radio, and Imani smiled at the memory.
Esteban could not get that pop tune out of his head all day.
用法筆記
A tune is typically shorter and simpler than a full song; it focuses on the melody rather than lyrics.
常見錯誤
2. the situation where musicians hit the correct notes, producing a pleasant combin
the situation where musicians hit the correct notes, producing a pleasant combined sound that fits together well.
The choir sang perfectly in tune, filling the hall with beautiful sound.
phrase: in tune
Élise checked that her violin was in tune before the concert began.
All the guitars need to be in tune for the band to sound good.
The viola was not in tune with the piano, so the duet sounded strange.
- pitch
the specific frequency of a note, not the state of correctness
文法句型
in tune
in tune with + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'in tune' or 'in tune with'; does not normally appear bare.
常見錯誤
3. the situation where musicians hit the wrong notes, making the sound unpleasant o
the situation where musicians hit the wrong notes, making the sound unpleasant or mismatched with others.
One of the piano keys was out of tune, so Asher called a repair person.
phrase: out of tune
Zuri knew she was out of tune when the choir director stopped and frowned.
That old upright piano sounds terribly out of tune after years of use.
The lead singer was completely out of tune with the band during the second song.
文法句型
out of tune
out of tune with + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'out of tune' or 'out of tune with'; the opposite of sense 2.
4. a state of agreement or harmony between people's perspectives, attitudes, or sha
a state of agreement or harmony between people's perspectives, attitudes, or shared interests; found in the fixed expression 'in tune with' and its opposite.
Tanvi felt completely in tune with her new team's approach to the project.
phrase: in tune with (figurative)
The mayor's speech was out of tune with what the community really needed.
Heather's values are in tune with the charity's mission to help the poor.
Defne felt out of tune with the fashion trends her classmates followed.
- conflict
direct opposition rather than mere difference
文法句型
in tune with + noun
out of tune with + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used in business or social contexts to describe alignment of opinions or goals. Distinguish from senses 2-3, which are literal musical meanings.
5. used before a specified sum of money to emphasize that the amount is surprisingl
used before a specified sum of money to emphasize that the amount is surprisingly large.
The university received donations to the tune of two million dollars this year.
phrase: to the tune of + large sum
Repairing the old bridge will cost taxpayers to the tune of three million.
Sari's company lost money to the tune of half a million in the first quarter.
The city spent to the tune of one hundred thousand on the new park benches.
- amounting to
neutral, without the emphatic tone
文法句型
to the tune of + amount
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed expression 'to the tune of' followed by a specific monetary figure. The tone is often one of surprise or disapproval at the size of the amount.
常見錯誤
6. a service in which a mechanic checks and adjusts a vehicle's engine so that it r
a service in which a mechanic checks and adjusts a vehicle's engine so that it runs smoothly and efficiently.
Dahlia took her car to the garage for a tune-up before the long trip.
collocation: get a tune-up
A regular tune-up can help your engine run smoothly for many years.
The mechanic said the car needed a full tune-up including new spark plugs.
After the tune-up, Daniel noticed the engine started much more quietly.
- service
broader term covering all routine maintenance, not just engine adjustment
用法筆記
Often written as 'tune-up' (with a hyphen). More common in American English; British English often uses 'service' instead.
tune — verb
- tunepresent simple I / you / we / they
- tunes3rd person singular
- tuning-ing form
- tunedpast simple
1. to alter the tension on the strings or adjust the interior parts on a guitar, pi
to alter the tension on the strings or adjust the interior parts on a guitar, piano, or other instrument, making each note ring at its intended pitch.
Daniel spent the afternoon tuning his guitar before the evening performance.
collocation: tune a guitar
The entire orchestra had to tune their instruments before the conductor arrived.
Jiwoo tuned the strings of her ukulele until each note sounded perfectly clear.
The piano tuner came every six months to tune the old upright piano.
- adjust
more general; not specific to musical pitch
- detune
to deliberately make an instrument out of tune
文法句型
tune + object
用法筆記
String instruments (guitar, violin, piano) need regular tuning. Some instruments, like the piano, require a professional tuner.
2. to change the settings of a radio set or TV, enabling it to pick up broadcasts f
to change the settings of a radio set or TV, enabling it to pick up broadcasts from a chosen broadcaster or channel.
Sari tuned the radio to a station playing classical music during dinner.
pattern: tune [device] to [station]
Defne tuned in to the news channel every morning before leaving for work.
phrasal: tune in to
Asher tuned the television to the football match just before kickoff.
The old radio could only tune stations clearly if the antenna was fully extended.
- adjust
more general; not specific to radio or TV frequency
文法句型
tune + object + to + station
tune in + to + station
用法筆記
Often used with the phrasal verb 'tune in' or 'tune into.' The object can be the device ('tune the radio') or omitted ('tune in to a station').
常見錯誤
3. to make small adjustments to a vehicle's engine or mechanical parts so that it r
to make small adjustments to a vehicle's engine or mechanical parts so that it runs at maximum efficiency and power.
The mechanic tuned the engine carefully to improve the car's fuel efficiency.
collocation: tune an engine
After tuning the motorcycle, Zuri noticed it accelerated much more smoothly.
The racing team tuned every part of the engine before the big competition.
Heather took her classic car to a specialist who tuned vintage engines for a living.
- calibrate
more technical; used for precise scientific or mechanical adjustments
文法句型
tune + object
用法筆記
Often used in the context of car maintenance or performance racing. The related noun form is 'tune-up' (sense 6 of the noun).