fine-tuned

adjective

ˈfīn-ˈtünd 

1

: precisely adjusted for the highest level of performance, efficiency, or effectiveness

a fine-tuned machine

His voice on "Always Late with Your Kisses" rolled along its cordillera of syllables like a fine-tuned sports car.

—Bryan Di Salvatore

2

: improved or refined over time

His story is that of a man with an exquisitely fine-tuned creative imagination …

—Bruce McCall

It is one of the many recipes that are treasured family hand-downs or the fine-tuned ideas of Marilyn Lewis …

—Caroline Bates

Examples of fine-tuned in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are aspects of running a business that, when focused on, must be fine-tuned to prevent the business from suffering. — Micah Logan, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Their background as water dogs and hunters has fine-tuned their olfactory senses to an elite level. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 24 July 2026

For instance, in 2018, Ristroph and colleagues fine-tuned the recipe for the perfect bubble based on experiments with soapy thin films. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

Both songs were actually recorded on the same day, proving Juvenile’s ear is fine-tuned for making hits. — Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fine-tuned

• attuned
• ballooned
• communed
• festooned
• impugned
• lampooned
• marooned
• crooned
• freund
• pruned
• spooned
• swooned