tinker

1 of 2

verb

tin·​ker ˈtiŋ-kər 

tinkered; tinkering ˈtiŋ-k(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: to work in the manner of a tinker

especially : to repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled or experimental manner : fiddle

always tinkering with his car

transitive verb

: to repair, adjust, or experiment with

tinkerer

ˈtiŋ-kər-ər 

noun

tinker

2 of 2

noun

plural tinkers

1

a

: a usually itinerant mender of household utensils

b

: an unskillful mender : bungler

2

chiefly Ireland, sometimes offensive : romani sense 1

Synonyms

Verb

• diddle (with)
• fiddle (with)
• fool (with)
• mess (with)
• monkey (with)
• play (with)
• tamper (with)
• toy (with)
• twiddle (with)

Examples of tinker in a Sentence

Verb

He was tinkering in the garage.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But, always tinkering, always seeking solutions to often complex situations in real time? —David Aldridge, New York Times, 16 May 2025

More roster tinkering around their core doesn’t feel like the answer. —Eric Stephens, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Out of the box, there are four sync modes to choose from - Cinematic, Vibrant, Relaxation, and Rhythmic - or you can tinker with brightness, saturation, and color intensity to fine-tune the vibe. —Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

History isn't kind to U.S. presidents who tinker with the Fed. —Susan Tompor, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tinkere

First Known Use

Verb

1655, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tinker

• give a tinker's damn
• tinker's dam
• tinker's damn
• worth a tinker's damn

Rhymes for tinker

• clinker
• drinker
• linker
• pinker
• sinker
• thinker
• freethinker

Video

A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia

Some imitative words are more surprising than others

Kids Definition

tinker

1 of 2 noun

tin·​ker ˈtiŋ-kər 

: a person who travels around and earns a living by repairing household utensils (as pots and pans)

tinker

2 of 2 verb

tinkered; tinkering ˈtiŋ-k(ə-)riŋ 

: to repair or adjust something in an unskilled or experimental manner

tinkering with his car

tinkerer

-kər-ər 

noun