Audio vs Tune

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Audio

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 adjective

Tune

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 noun

	Audio	Tune
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːdiəʊ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːdiəʊ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/tjuːn/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/tuːn/"]/
Meaning	Sound that you can hear.	A melody or song.
Example	**audio** and video **recordings/files/clips**	I can't get that catchy tune out of my head.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	B2
Part of speech	adjective	noun
Collocations	audio equipment, audio file, audio track, audio recording, audio signal	little, good, great, hum, play (somebody), sing, to the tune of something
Antonyms	visual, silent, mute	dissonance, discord
Common mistakes	Confused with 'video' – audio refers specifically to sound., Using 'audio' as a verb – it is only a noun., Mispronouncing the word – ensure 'audio' is pronounced with three clear syllables.	Confused with 'tune in' meaning to listen or watch., Using 'tune' as a verb only when it can also be a noun., Forget to use 'tune' when referring to familiar songs or jingles.
Usage notes	Used in both formal and informal contexts. Commonly appears in discussions about music, technology, and broadcasting. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler terms like 'sound' might suffice.	Use 'tune' to refer to melodies, often in a musical context. It's informal when talking about common songs, but can also be formal in music composition. Avoid using it for complex musical pieces.

See it in real clips

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. › S1 E1

but we have her audio. I've loaded it up.

Audio

Top Gear › S1 E1

can actually tune the engine from the pit wall.

Tune

Frequently asked questions: Audio vs Tune

What's the difference between Audio and Tune?

Audio: Sound that you can hear. Tune: A melody or song.

Are Audio and Tune the same CEFR level?

Audio: B2, Tune: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Audio and Tune?

Audio: adjective, Tune: noun.

Can you show an example of each?

Audio: **audio** and video **recordings/files/clips** Tune: I can't get that catchy tune out of my head.

Can I use Audio and Tune interchangeably?

Not always. Audio and Tune are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.