retune: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral, with technical/musical leanings
Quick answer
What does “retune” mean?
To adjust the pitch, frequency, or settings of something (originally a musical instrument) to achieve the correct or desired sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To adjust the pitch, frequency, or settings of something (originally a musical instrument) to achieve the correct or desired sound.
To adjust, recalibrate, or reconfigure any system, process, or device for optimal performance or alignment; to make fine adjustments for better results.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in musical contexts due to stronger classical/folk music press.
Grammar
How to Use “retune” in a Sentence
[Subject] retuned [Direct Object][Subject] retuned [Direct Object] to [Target/Goal][Subject] needed to retune [Direct Object] after [Event]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “retune” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The orchestra had to retune after the sudden change in temperature.
- You'll need to retune your telly for the new Freeview channels.
- The mechanic retuned the car's ECU for better fuel economy.
American English
- I had to retune my guitar after the flight.
- Can you retune the radio to NPR?
- The team retuned the software parameters after the update.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical, e.g., 'We need to retune our marketing strategy to target younger audiences.'
Academic
Used in fields like engineering, acoustics, machine learning (e.g., 'retune the neural network's hyperparameters').
Everyday
Primarily for musical instruments, radios, or TVs (e.g., 'I had to retune the old radio to get a clear signal.').
Technical
Precise adjustment of frequencies, settings, or calibration points in machinery, electronics, or software.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “retune”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “retune”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “retune”
- Misspelling as 'return' or 'retone'.
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'The guitar retuned' is rare; prefer 'The guitar was retuned' or 'He retuned the guitar').
- Overusing the metaphorical sense in basic contexts where 'adjust' is sufficient.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its core meaning is musical, it is commonly used for radios, TVs, engines, algorithms, and metaphorically for strategies or processes.
'Tune' implies initial adjustment to achieve correct pitch/settings. 'Retune' implies doing it again, often because something has changed or gone wrong.
Rarely. The standard noun form is 'retuning' (e.g., 'The retuning of the engine took two hours').
The standard spelling in modern English is 'retune' (without a hyphen), though 're-tune' may be seen in older or very formal texts for clarity.
To adjust the pitch, frequency, or settings of something (originally a musical instrument) to achieve the correct or desired sound.
Retune is usually neutral, with technical/musical leanings in register.
Retune: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈtjuːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈtuːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Retune your ear”
- “Retune your thinking (metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of RE-TUNE: to TUNE something again (RE-). Like a musician tuning a guitar string after it goes flat.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADJUSTMENT IS TUNING, SYSTEMS ARE INSTRUMENTS (e.g., retuning an economy, a team, a process).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'retune' MOST metaphorical?