tuner
gb/tˈunɚ/ us/tˈunɚ/
B1
English
~ 8700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
electronic radio or TV channel selector
A part of a radio, TV, or similar machine that lets you choose and receive a station or channel.
Usage pattern:
a [type] tuner
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "tuner" means the whole radio or TV. In many contexts, it is just one part of the device that selects the channel or station, not the speakers or screen.
Synonyms
receiver (Often refers to the whole radio/hi‑fi unit, while "tuner" is specifically the part that selects and processes the signal.)
Antonyms
transmitter (A transmitter sends radio or TV signals, while a tuner only receives and selects them.)
Collocations
radio tuner
|TV tuner
|digital tuner
|FM tuner
|built-in tuner
|tuner card
Themes
technology
|entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The old stereo still works, but the FM tuner is starting to cut out.
- Many new TVs come with a built-in digital tuner, so you don’t need a separate box.
- I installed a USB TV tuner so I can watch free-to-air channels on my laptop.
- The car’s radio tuner automatically searches for the strongest station.
- This model has a very sensitive tuner that can pick up distant signals.
Learner examples
- This radio has a good tuner and can get many stations.
- My new TV has a digital tuner inside it.
- He bought a small TV tuner for his computer.
- The tuner in my old radio is broken.
- I turned the tuner to find a music station.
Noun
B1
entity
2
device for tuning instruments
A small machine, clip-on tool, or app that helps you make a musical instrument in tune by showing if a note is too high or too low.
Usage pattern:
a [instrument] tuner
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the person who tunes instruments. In phrases like "I need a new tuner for my guitar," it usually means the device, not a professional person.
Synonyms
pitch tuner (More explicit about controlling pitch; often used in technical or product descriptions.)
Collocations
guitar tuner
|electronic tuner
|clip-on tuner
|chromatic tuner
|digital tuner
Themes
music
|technology
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- I always use a clip-on tuner to tune my guitar before a show.
- The app works as a simple chromatic tuner for any instrument.
- The violinist checked her tuning with an electronic tuner backstage.
- This guitar tuner is very accurate, even in a noisy room.
- He forgot his tuner, so we had to tune by ear.
Learner examples
- She used a tuner to tune her guitar.
- I downloaded a tuner on my phone.
- The piano player checked the keys with a tuner.
- This tuner shows if my note is too high or too low.
- He cannot tune his violin without a tuner.
Noun
B2
entity
3
person who tunes instruments
A person who fixes the sound of musical instruments so that they play the right notes.
Usage pattern:
a [type of instrument] tuner
Common mistake:
Learners may think "piano tuner" is a device. In "The piano tuner arrived at 10 a.m.", it clearly refers to a person with this job.
Synonyms
piano technician (Commonly used for specialists who tune and also repair pianos; slightly more formal and specific than "tuner.")
Collocations
piano tuner
|professional tuner
|instrument tuner
|call a tuner
Themes
music
|jobs
|arts_entertainment
|work
Examples
- We had a piano tuner come in last week to fix the baby grand.
- The tuner spent almost two hours getting the concert piano ready.
- As a violin maker and tuner, she works with several local orchestras.
- You should call a professional tuner if the piano hasn’t been serviced in years.
- The guitar shop recommended a reliable tuner who works on vintage instruments.
Learner examples
- A piano tuner came to our house today.
- The tuner made the old piano sound good again.
- My friend works as a piano tuner.
- We need a tuner before the concert.
- He wants to become a tuner and fix instruments.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
4
person/business that tunes engines
A person or company that changes a car or motorbike engine to make it faster or work in a different way.
Usage pattern:
a [type of vehicle] tuner
Common mistake:
Learners might think "tuner" here is only a tool or device. In car culture, it often means the specialist person or the business that does the performance changes.
Synonyms
tuning shop (Usually refers to the business or workshop itself, while "tuner" can mean either the person or the business.)
Collocations
car tuner
|engine tuner
|performance tuner
|ECU tuner
|professional tuner
Themes
automotive
|technology
|transportation
|work
Examples
- He took his Subaru to a well-known tuner to get a custom ECU map.
- Serious tuners always check air–fuel ratios on a dyno.
- The magazine ran an article comparing different professional tuners.
- A careless tuner can easily damage the engine.
- Many modern tuners focus on software rather than mechanical changes.
Learner examples
- He went to a car tuner to make his car faster.
- The tuner changed the engine settings on my car.
- This tuner only works on racing cars.
- Good tuners know how not to break the engine.
- She wants to become a tuner and work with sports cars.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tuner
IPA
GB/tˈunɚ/
US/tˈunɚ/
Syllables & stress
tuner (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tuner)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tuner
- Plural: tuners
Word family
Forms
tuners
noun
Core family
tune
verb B1
tuning
noun
Related words
tuneful
adjective
tunable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
tuneless
adjective
Advanced or less common
detune
verb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.