tinkered; tinkering
ˈtiŋ-k(ə-)riŋ 
: 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
: to repair, adjust, or experiment with
plural tinkers
1
a
: a usually itinerant mender of household utensils
b
: an unskillful mender : bungler
2
chiefly Ireland, sometimes offensive
: romani sense 1
Examples of tinker in a Sentence
Verb
He was tinkering in the garage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
After offseasons of tinkering with new pitches, Ryan was able to come to come to spring training this year confident in his pitch mix.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
City leaders should keep their hands off this one street (include tinkering with the 4 a.m. closing time).
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Bednar has tinkered with his lineup a little since his roster was infused with new and healthy players.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
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Verb
But tinkering around with Medicare is another matter altogether.
—Jay Cost, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2025
After offseasons of tinkering with new pitches, Ryan was able to come to come to spring training this year confident in his pitch mix.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
City leaders should keep their hands off this one street (include tinkering with the 4 a.m. closing time).
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Bednar has tinkered with his lineup a little since his roster was infused with new and healthy players.
—Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
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Cite this Entry
“Tinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinker. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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