Meaning & Definition of Tinker in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To repair or improve something in a casual or clumsy way.

  Example Sentence: He decided to tinker with the engine to see if he could get it to run better.

• Definition: A person who attempts to fix or improve things, typically in a non-professional manner.

  Example Sentence: As a tinker, she was always trying to fix broken toys.

• Definition: Historically, a traveling mender of metal utensils.

  Example Sentence: The tinker came to the village to mend pots and pans.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English 'tinkerer', probably from 'tink', to make a ringing sound.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• tinker with something: To make small changes to something.
• tinker bell: A reference to the famous fairy character, often used to describe a small, delicate, or magical person or thing.

Translations

• Spanish: reparar

• French: bricoler

• German: basteln

• Russian: подкручивать

Related Words

• fix: To repair something that is broken or damaged.

• fiddle: To make small adjustments or manipulations.

Slang Meanings of tinker

• Meaning: To mess around with something.

  Example Sentence: Stop tinkering with the settings; you're making it worse.

• Meaning: To play around or be inattentive.

  Example Sentence: He was just tinkering instead of getting his work done.