# tune

/ˈtun/ (US) · /tjˈuːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tune
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a melody

noun · CEFR A2

a series of musical notes that are pleasant and easy to remember.

For teachers: a sequence of musical notes that form a distinct melody or theme.

- I have a catchy tune stuck in my head after hearing it on the radio.
- The composer took a simple folk tune and developed it into a complex orchestral movement.

### 2. a song

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a piece of music, especially a popular song.

For teachers: a musical composition, often used informally to refer to a specific track or song.

- The DJ played a great tune and everyone started dancing.
- The band performed several new tunes from their upcoming album during the soundcheck.

### 3. correct pitch

noun · CEFR B1

the state of a musical instrument playing the right notes.

For teachers: the state of being at the correct pitch or frequency.

- The piano is out of tune and needs a professional to fix it.
- The choir struggled to stay in tune during the difficult a cappella section of the performance.

Usage: Commonly used in the phrases 'in tune' or 'out of tune'.

### 4. to adjust an instrument

verb · CEFR B1

to adjust a musical instrument so it plays the correct notes.

For teachers: to adjust the pitch of a musical instrument to a standard or to other instruments.

- The guitarists spent a few minutes tuning their instruments before the show.
- Before the concert began, the lead violinist played a concert A to help the rest of the orchestra tune.

### 5. to adjust a machine

verb · CEFR B2

to adjust a machine or engine so it works as well as possible.

For teachers: to adjust a mechanical or electronic device for optimal performance or frequency.

- He spent the weekend tuning his car engine for the upcoming race.
- The technician had to tune the receiver to the correct frequency to eliminate the background static.

## Examples

- I have a catchy tune stuck in my head.
- The radio played a great tune that made everyone in the car start singing along.
- While the lyrics were somewhat repetitive, the underlying tune was sophisticated enough to keep the audience engaged throughout the entire performance.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.