tinker
/ˈtɪŋ.kər/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɪŋkɚ] /ˈtɪŋ.kɚ/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɪŋkɚ] /ˈtiŋ-kər How to pronounce tinker (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtɪŋkə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɪŋkɚ] /ˈtɪŋkər/ (ame, ipa)
tinker — verb
- tinkerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tinkers3rd person singular
- tinkering-ing form
- tinkeredpast simple
1. to make small, often experimental changes to a machine, a piece of software, or
to make small, often experimental changes to a machine, a piece of software, or a system, hoping to fix a problem or help it work more smoothly
The mechanic tinkered with the old lawnmower engine until it finally started again.
tinker with + machine (engine)
Wei kept tinkering with the website layout, adjusting the font and colours for hours.
Amara tinkered with the spices instead of following the recipe exactly.
Diego spent the afternoon tinkering with his drone to improve its camera stabilisation.
- fiddle with
more informal, often suggests impatience or a lack of skill
- adjust
more neutral and precise, does not imply experimentation
- tweak
more specific to fine-tuning, usually for digital or mechanical settings
文法句型
tinker with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always used with the preposition 'with' before the object. The changes implied are small and experimental rather than a complete overhaul.
常見錯誤
tinker — noun
- tinkersingular
- tinkersplural
1. someone whose job in past centuries was to travel between villages and towns ear
someone whose job in past centuries was to travel between villages and towns earning money by mending metal household items such as pots, pans, and kettles
In the 1800s, a tinker visited farming villages each month to mend pots with holes.
historical context: 1800s
The museum has a display of tools that a travelling tinker carried in his cart.
Before hardware stores existed, villagers relied on the local tinker to fix their metal pots.
The tinker set up a stall at the market and sharpened knives for the farmers.
A tinker's cart could be heard from far away by the clanging of metal pots.
用法筆記
Now mostly used in historical contexts or literature. The modern equivalent would be someone who repairs household metal items as a trade.
2. a mischievous or troublesome young person, especially a child who is rude or cau
a mischievous or troublesome young person, especially a child who is rude or causes minor trouble
Mrs. Okonkwo called her son a little tinker after he pulled the cat's tail.
UK informal: 'little tinker'
The teacher described the boys as tinkers after they tipped over the bin.
His grandmother shook her head and called him a cheeky little tinker.
Mrs. Okonkwo called the kids tinkers after they climbed the fence and trampled her flowers.
- angel
used playfully for a very well-behaved child
用法筆記
Used primarily in British English, sometimes as a mild scolding term. Can be considered derogatory depending on context.
常見錯誤
❌ Using this sense in American English — it is almost unknown in the US and will cause confusion.
3. the hobbyist practice of carrying out small, experimental changes to a device or
the hobbyist practice of carrying out small, experimental changes to a device or system, viewed as a casual or amateur pursuit rather than formal professional repair
A quick tinker with the television antenna brought the picture back into focus.
a [noun] tinker with + device
After hours of tinkering, Soren admitted he had only made the noise worse.
A bit of tinkering with the bike brakes stopped the squeaking.
The watch needed some gentle tinkering before it worked again.
- fiddling
more informal, sometimes suggests wasting time
- adjustment
more formal and precise
- tweaking
informal, focuses on fine-tuning
用法筆記
This noun form is typically uncountable and is used similarly to 'fiddling' or 'adjusting'. Less common than the verb form.
4. a highly offensive word used to refer to a Romani person, a Traveller, or any me
a highly offensive word used to refer to a Romani person, a Traveller, or any member of a traditionally nomadic community; comparable to other ethnic slurs and should never be used
The BBC's 2021 guidelines label 'tinker' an unacceptable term for Romani or Irish Travellers.
usage warning: offensive slur — BBC editorial guidelines
Dublin campaigners urged the local paper to stop using 'tinker' about Travellers.
campaign against the word's use in journalism
A Glasgow head teacher warned that calling a Romani student a tinker meant disciplinary action.
A 2015 report showed that 'tinker' still caused harm in Irish primary schools.
用法筆記
⚠️ STRONG WARNING: This is a racial slur in the UK and Ireland when used to refer to Travellers or Romani people. It carries strong negative connotations and is considered deeply offensive. The neutral terms are 'Traveller' (or 'Irish Traveller') and 'Romani' (or 'Roma'). Do not use this word to describe a person from a travelling community.