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
Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
What started as a childhood obsession – tinkering with and playing bass guitars – led to a career as a guitar tech on tour with bands such as Cincinnati's own Walk the Moon, whom Kennedy traveled the world with before leaving eight years ago to start his own repair company.
—Otto Rabe, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Here's a look at some of the experiments that Biosphere 2's scientists have dreamt up and are tinkering with in this big glass building in the desert.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 7 July 2025
Mize battled his body, tinkered with mechanical cues and searched for other ways to go from fringe starter to frontline workhorse.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
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
And those who do turn to A.I. companions can tinker with the settings, asking for less flattery, more pushback, even the occasional note of tough love.
—Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025
What started as a childhood obsession – tinkering with and playing bass guitars – led to a career as a guitar tech on tour with bands such as Cincinnati's own Walk the Moon, whom Kennedy traveled the world with before leaving eight years ago to start his own repair company.
—Otto Rabe, The Enquirer, 9 July 2025
Here's a look at some of the experiments that Biosphere 2's scientists have dreamt up and are tinkering with in this big glass building in the desert.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 7 July 2025
Mize battled his body, tinkered with mechanical cues and searched for other ways to go from fringe starter to frontline workhorse.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 6 July 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 20 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share