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
Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
At some level this is the story of legislative tinkering for its own sake.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The tinkering percussion is no match for her lyrical display, delivered with the sarcastic lilt of Slick Rick and impressive meter.
66.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The movie started filming the month after Barbie wrapped production as Bong, who had final cut, tinkered with the edit over the course of several release date changes.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
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Verb
While different administrations have tinkered with the number of troops and locations of bases, the US has always maintained a significant military presence around the world.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025
At some level this is the story of legislative tinkering for its own sake.
—Robert Goulder, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
The tinkering percussion is no match for her lyrical display, delivered with the sarcastic lilt of Slick Rick and impressive meter.
66.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
The movie started filming the month after Barbie wrapped production as Bong, who had final cut, tinkered with the edit over the course of several release date changes.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
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Cite this Entry
“Tinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinker. Accessed 29 Apr. 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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