Meaning & use
tuneable or tunable
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivenot comparable
able to be adjusted to a different frequency or setting, especially in music or electronics.
Grammar: Usually used before a noun: a tunable radio. It is not used in the comparative form 'more tunable'.
Patterns
- tunable instrument
- tunable laser
- tunable to something
The radio has a tunable dial for different stations.
This laser is tunable across a wide range of wavelengths.
A tunable drum can be adjusted to different pitches.
adjectivenot comparableformal
able to be changed or adapted to suit different needs or conditions.
Grammar: Used mostly in formal or technical writing: a tunable system.
Patterns
- tunable system
- tunable parameters
The software has tunable settings for performance.
We need a more tunable approach to the problem.
Common combinations
- tunable laser
- A tunable laser can emit different wavelengths.
- tunable instrument
- The violin is a highly tunable instrument.
- tunable parameters
- The model has several tunable parameters.
Synonyms and how they differ
- adjustable
- A more general word for something you can change; tunable is more specific to frequency or settings.
- configurable
- Often used for software or systems that can be set up in different ways; tunable is more about fine-tuning.
Opposites
Word family
- tune verb
- To adjust an instrument or device to the correct pitch or frequency.
- tunefully adverb
- In a pleasant, musical way.
Practice
Which sentence uses the correct spelling for American English?
Choose one answer.
In American English, 'tunable' is the standard spelling. 'Tuneable' is a British variant, while 'tunible' and 'tunabble' are incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tuneable or tunable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.