tinker
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to spend time making small changes to something to try to fix it or make it work better.
v.to work at something in an unskilled or experimental manner; to fiddle with a mechanism in an attempt to repair or improve it.
Simple“He spent the whole afternoon tinkering with his old bicycle in the garage.”
In context“The software engineer spent his weekend tinkering with the open-source code, hoping to optimize the database queries for better performance.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'with' when followed by an object.
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a small act of fixing or changing something.
n.an instance of experimental repair or minor adjustment.
Simple“The engine just needs a quick tinker and it should start fine.”
In context“After a brief tinker with the settings, the technician managed to restore the satellite connection.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.in the past, a person who traveled from place to place mending metal pots and pans.
n.historically, an itinerant tinsmith who mended household utensils; the term is now largely archaic in a professional context.
Simple“The old stories often featured a tinker traveling between villages with his tools.”
In context“In pre-industrial society, the local tinker provided an essential service by extending the life of expensive copper cookware.”
Teacher's tipBe careful: in the UK and Ireland, this word has been used as a slur for Travellers and can be highly offensive in that context.
Synonymstinsmithmender - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a playful or slightly naughty child.
n.a mischievous person, especially a playful or impish youngster.
Simple“Come here, you little tinker, and put your shoes on.”
In context“The teacher couldn't stay angry at the boy; he was a bit of a tinker, but his pranks were never malicious.”
“Their leader, Zack Polanski, says that Burnham's ideas for greater public control over vital services is "just tinkering".”
“The artist tinkered with the piece for months, but just weeks before it was scheduled to go on display in New York, he decided to repaint it.”
From Middle English tynkere, perhaps from Old English tincere, from tin (“tin”) + cere, as in bēocere (“beekeeper”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.