Standard Lemma guide

fine-tune

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To make small adjustments to (something) until it is optimal.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Jim fine-tuned the radio until the sound was perfect.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

make fine adjustments or divide into marked intervals for optimal measuring

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • calibrate an instrument
  • graduate a cylinder

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: calibrate, graduate

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: adjust, set, correct

3

verb

Meaning 3

adjust finely

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • fine-tune the engine

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tweak

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: tune, tune up

4

verb

Meaning 4

improve or perfect by pruning or polishing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • refine one's style of writing

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: polish, refine, down

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: better, improve, amend, ameliorate, meliorate

Narrower terms: overrefine, over-refine, educate, school, train, cultivate, civilize, civilise

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: настройвам (nastrojvam) — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Bulgarian: настроя (nastroja) — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Czech: doladit — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Finnish: hienosäätää — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • French: ajuster finement — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • German: feinabstimmen — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Hungarian: finomhangol — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Polish: dostrajać — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Polish: dostroić — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Russian: настроить (nastroitʹ) — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Russian: доработать (dorabotatʹ) — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Spanish: poner a punto — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Spanish: afinar — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal
  • Swedish: finjustera — to make small adjustments to something until it is optimal