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.
And, of course, teens will love tuning out the rest of the world with these five-star Bluetooth wireless earbuds. Anja Webb, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 Over time, team members tune out their words and begin to question the sincerity of their actions. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 The music isn't too loud to tune out and the chairs are comfortable. Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 22 Aug. 2025 Headphones and Bluetooth speakers got multiple recommendations as well, for the sake of distraction and tuning out hospital background noise. Sara Coughlin, SELF, 12 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Tune out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tune%20out. Accessed 29 Sep. 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

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