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Tinker: meaning, definitions and examples

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tinker

 

[ˈtɪŋ.kər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

noun

A person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils.

Synonyms

mender, metalworker, repairman.

Examples of usage

  • He worked as a tinker, repairing pots and pans in exchange for food and shelter.
  • The tinker went from village to village, fixing household items for the locals.
Context #2 | Verb

verb

Attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way.

Synonyms

fiddle, play, toy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tinker

When making small adjustments or trying to fix something in a somewhat clumsy or experimental way, especially with mechanical or technical objects.

  • He loves to tinker with old radios in his spare time.
  • I spent the afternoon tinkering with my bike to get it back in working order.
fiddle

When making small, aimless adjustments to something, often out of distraction or nervousness.

  • Stop fiddling with your pen and pay attention to the meeting.
  • She was fiddling with her hair while thinking about the problem.
play

When engaging in activities for amusement, leisure, or fun. This word is commonly used in the context of games, instruments, or with children.

  • The children love to play in the park after school.
  • He played the guitar beautifully during the concert.
toy

When handling something in a casual, sometimes careless manner, often while thinking about something else. It can also imply playing with something not seriously.

  • He toyed with his food, clearly distracted by something on his mind.
  • She toyed with the idea of moving abroad but never made any concrete plans.

Examples of usage

  • She decided to tinker with the broken radio before calling a professional.
  • He liked to tinker with old cars in his spare time, trying to make them run better.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'tinca', which means 'to tinkle or to make a ringing sound', often used to refer to metalworking.
  • Originally, it referred to people who repaired metal pots and pans, particularly traveling craftsmen in the 16th century.

Literature

  • In the beloved children's book 'The Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame, the character Toad is known for his tinkering and adventures.
  • The term 'tinkering' is often used in literature to symbolize creativity and problem-solving, such as in various DIY guides and instructional books.

Pop Culture

  • In the video game series 'Legend of Zelda', Link often tweaks and repairs items to progress on his quest.
  • Movies like 'Toy Story' feature characters who tinker with their surroundings and make the best out of difficult situations.

Technology

  • Tinkering is encouraged in STEM education, with kids using kits to build and modify robots, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
  • The maker movement promotes tinkering as a way for people to create and innovate using technology and hands-on skills.

Psychology

  • Engaging in tinkering helps improve fine motor skills and cognitive thinking as individuals experiment with different approaches.
  • Psychologists see tinkering as a therapeutic activity, enhancing problem-solving skills and encouraging a growth mindset.

Translations

Translations of the word "tinker" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mexer

🇮🇳 ठीक करना

🇩🇪 basteln

🇮🇩 memperbaiki

🇺🇦 лагодити

🇵🇱 majsterkować

🇯🇵 いじる (ijiru)

🇫🇷 bricoler

🇪🇸 reparar

🇹🇷 tamir etmek

🇰🇷 수리하다 (surihada)

🇸🇦 يصلح (yuslih)

🇨🇿 opravovat

🇸🇰 opravovať

🇨🇳 修理 (xiūlǐ)

🇸🇮 popravljati

🇮🇸 lagfæra

🇰🇿 жөндеу

🇬🇪 შეკეთება (sheketeba)

🇦🇿 təmir etmək

🇲🇽 reparar

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,873, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.