TINKER
| Pronunciation (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does tinker mean?
• TINKER (noun)
The noun TINKER has 3 senses:
1. a person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts
2. formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who traveled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living
3. small mackerel found nearly worldwide
Familiarity information: TINKER used as a noun is uncommon.
• TINKER (verb)
The verb TINKER has 3 senses:
1. do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
2. work as a tinker or tinkerer
3. try to fix or mend
Familiarity information: TINKER used as a verb is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
• TINKER (noun)
Meaning:
A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Synonyms:
tinker; tinkerer
Hypernyms ("tinker" is a kind of...):
experimenter (a person who enjoys testing innovative ideas)
Meaning:
Formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who traveled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living
Classified under:
Nouns denoting people
Hypernyms ("tinker" is a kind of...):
gipsy; gypsy; itinerant (a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment)
Meaning:
Small mackerel found nearly worldwide
Classified under:
Nouns denoting animals
Synonyms:
chub mackerel; Scomber japonicus; tinker
Hypernyms ("tinker" is a kind of...):
mackerel (any of various fishes of the family Scombridae)
Holonyms ("tinker" is a member of...):
genus Scomber; Scomber (type genus of the Scombridae)
• TINKER (verb)
Meaning:
Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
tinker; potter; muck around; muck about; monkey around; mess around; monkey; putter
Context example:
The old lady is usually mucking about in her little house
Hypernyms (to "tinker" is one way to...):
work (exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "tinker"):
puddle (mess around, as in a liquid or paste)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Work as a tinker or tinkerer
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "tinker" is one way to...):
do work; work (be employed)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Meaning:
Try to fix or mend
Classified under:
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.
Synonyms:
tinker; fiddle
Context examples:
Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's not working right / She always fiddles with her van on the weekend
Hypernyms (to "tinker" is one way to...):
bushel; doctor; fix; furbish up; mend; repair; restore; touch on (restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
