tinker

1 of 3

verb

tin·​ker ˈtiŋ-kər How to pronounce tinker (audio)
tinkered; tinkering ˈtiŋ-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce tinker (audio)
Synonyms of tinker

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 How to pronounce tinker (audio)
noun

tinker

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural tinkers
1
a
: a usually itinerant mender of household utensils
b
: an unskillful mender : bungler
2
chiefly Ireland, sometimes offensive : romani sense 1

tinkerer

3 of 3

noun (2)

tin·​ker·​er
plural -s
: one that tinkers

Synonyms of tinker

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Verb

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Examples of tinker in a Sentence

Verb He was tinkering in the garage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Some dads love to grill, some dads prefer to golf, and some dads enjoy tinkering with their cars. — Jamie Fischer, Parents, 20 June 2026 Some will take umbrage about tinkering about with the Robin Hood mythos like that. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026
Noun
In the episode, the kids work with a traveling tinker to craft a new church bell. — Sara Belcher, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025 The Academy also made a bunch of other tinkers. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for tinker

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English tinkere

First Known Use

Verb

1655, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tinker was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing tinker

Rhymes for tinker

See All Rhymes for tinker

Browse Nearby Words

tink
tinker
tinker's curse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinker. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tinker

1 of 2 noun
tin·​ker ˈtiŋ-kər How to pronounce tinker (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce tinker (audio)
: to repair or adjust something in an unskilled or experimental manner
tinkering with his car
tinkerer
-kər-ər How to pronounce tinker (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on tinker

Nglish: Translation of tinker for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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