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
Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
After last season’s ludicrous 211-186 win by the NBA’s East in Indianapolis, where the West’s Karl Anthony-Towns scored 50 points in 28 minutes, the NBA tinkered with the format for the Chase Center event.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
Bryant appeared more open to the idea of tinkering with the terms of trade — the rules that allow UK producers to retain their rights — to extend them to the streamers, even though this is not something on the industry’s shopping list.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025
In his free time, Jim enjoyed working on classic trucks and tinkering in his shop.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
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Verb
The attack is the only line not tinkered with, as Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are the left and right wingers on either side of striker Robert Lewandowski.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
After last season’s ludicrous 211-186 win by the NBA’s East in Indianapolis, where the West’s Karl Anthony-Towns scored 50 points in 28 minutes, the NBA tinkered with the format for the Chase Center event.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
Bryant appeared more open to the idea of tinkering with the terms of trade — the rules that allow UK producers to retain their rights — to extend them to the streamers, even though this is not something on the industry’s shopping list.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025
In his free time, Jim enjoyed working on classic trucks and tinkering in his shop.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
Some imitative words are more surprising than others
Cite this Entry
“Tinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinker. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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