tune out

verb

tuned out; tuning out; tunes out

transitive verb

: to become unresponsive to : ignore

intransitive verb

: to dissociate oneself from what is happening or one's surroundings

Examples of tune out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For such a staunch advocate of pop trash, Cocker is surprisingly tuned out from modern radio. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 23 May 2025 The cellist and composer, 36, makes music out of noise others might wish to tune out: turn-signal clicks, a far-off tornado siren test, the hums of refrigerators. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 May 2025 Learn more Exploring the Outdoors, One Step at a Time Hiking is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and tune out the chaos of city life. Coral Murphy Marcos, New York Times, 2 May 2025 The wars in Gaza and Ukraine are still raging, with all sides apparently mostly tuning out Trump’s regular ultimatums to end the fighting or else. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tune out

Word History

First Known Use

1908, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of tune out was in 1908

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tune out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tune%20out. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

tune out

verb
: to stop paying attention to what is happening or to one's surroundings
thinking about the work and tuning everything else out

More from Merriam-Webster on tune out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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