Word
tinker
Phoneticstin·ker, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɪŋkɝ/
UK/tˈɪŋkɐ/
Definitions
01to fiddle with something
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
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.
“He spent the whole afternoon tinkering with his old bicycle in the garage.”
“The software engineer spent his weekend tinkering with the open-source code, hoping to optimize the database queries for better performance.”
Antonyms
02a small repair
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal
n. a small act of fixing or changing something.
n. an instance of experimental repair or minor adjustment.
“The engine just needs a quick tinker and it should start fine.”
“After a brief tinker with the settings, the technician managed to restore the satellite connection.”
Synonyms
03historical metalworker
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic
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.
“The old stories often featured a tinker traveling between villages with his tools.”
“In pre-industrial society, the local tinker provided an essential service by extending the life of expensive copper cookware.”
Synonyms
04mischievous child
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun British English · Informal
n. a playful or slightly naughty child.
n. a mischievous person, especially a playful or impish youngster.
“Come here, you little tinker, and put your shoes on.”
“The teacher couldn't stay angry at the boy; he was a bit of a tinker, but his pranks were never malicious.”
Usage
Intransitive; almost always followed by the preposition 'with'.
Pitfall
He tinkered the radio
He tinkered with the radio
Tinker is an intransitive verb in this sense and requires the preposition 'with' before the object.
Real-World Examples
“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.” “Their leader, Zack Polanski, says that Burnham's ideas for greater public control over vital services is "just tinkering".” Etymology
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.
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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