tinker
/ˈtɪŋ.kə/ IELTSAcademic
verb
to make small changes or repairs to something, often in an informal or not very careful way. It can also mean to adjust something little by little.
- He tinkered with the radio all afternoon.
- Don't tinker with the settings too much.
- She tinkered with the recipe until it tasted right.
noun
a person who repairs or makes things in a small, informal way. This use is old or literary.
- The old tinker fixed pots and pans.
- In the story, the tinker travels from village to village.
Adinary Nuance
Tinker is weaker and more informal than repair or fix. It suggests small, often experimental changes, not a full or professional repair. Writers use it when the change is minor, casual, or not fully planned.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sửa chữa lặt vặt
- Spanish
- arreglar
- Chinese
- 修修补补
- Japanese
- いじる
- Korean
- 만지작거리다
Etymology
Tinker comes from Middle English, from a word for a metal worker or mender. The verb developed from the idea of doing small repair work.
Common phrases
tinker with somethingtinker aroundtinker with the ideatinker with settings
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is tinker formal or informal?
- It is more informal than repair or modify. It is common in speaking and casual writing.
- What is the difference between tinker and fix?
- Fix means make something work again. Tinker means make small, often unplanned changes.
- Can I say tinker with a plan or idea?
- Yes. It means to change it a little, usually in an informal or experimental way.
- Is tinker a common IELTS word?
- Yes, it can appear in reading or speaking when talking about changes, tools, or ideas.