To attune means to adjust yourself to be in harmony with something, like tuning a musical instrument so it plays perfectly with an orchestra. When musicians attune their instruments, they carefully adjust each string or key until the sounds match exactly.

The word often describes becoming sensitive or responsive to something around you. A good teacher attunes herself to her students' moods and energy levels, noticing when they're confused or tired and adjusting her lessons accordingly. When you spend time in the woods, you might become attuned to the forest sounds, noticing birds and rustling leaves you didn't hear at first.

Being attuned to something means you've developed a special awareness of it. A chef becomes attuned to subtle flavors in food. A sailor becomes attuned to changes in the wind and weather. You might become attuned to your best friend's feelings, sensing when something's bothering them even before they say anything.

The word suggests both adjustment and awareness: you notice something and actively align yourself with it, like adjusting your radio dial until the station comes in clearly.