TINKER: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for TINKER?

Need another word that means the same as “tinker”? Find 31 synonyms and 30 related words for “tinker” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Tinker” are: chub mackerel, scomber japonicus, tinkerer, imp, monkey, puck, rascal, rogue, minx, mischief-maker, prankster, mess around, monkey around, potter, putter, fiddle, try to improve, try to mend, work amateurishly on, fiddle with, play with, play about with, play around with, toy with, trifle with, dally with, dabble with, potter about with, fool about with, fool around with

Tinker as a Noun

Definitions of "Tinker" as a noun

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “tinker” as a noun can have the following definitions:

• A Traveller, Romani, or other person living in an itinerant community.
• A mischievous child.
• 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.
• (especially in former times) a person who makes a living by travelling from place to place mending pans and other metal utensils.
• An act of attempting to repair something.
• A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts.
• Small mackerel found nearly worldwide.

Synonyms of "Tinker" as a noun (11 Words)

chub mackerel	Any of various fishes of the family Scombridae.
imp	(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous. A cheeky young imp.
minx	An impudent, cunning, or boldly flirtatious girl or young woman. You saucy little minx.
mischief-maker	Someone who deliberately stirs up trouble.
monkey	A person who is dominated or controlled by another with reference to the monkey traditionally kept by an organ grinder. Where have you been you little monkey.
prankster	Someone who plays practical jokes on others.
puck	An input device resembling a mouse, dragged across a mat which senses its position to move the cursor on the screen.
rascal	A mischievous or cheeky person, especially a child or man (typically used in an affectionate way. You are such a rascal.
rogue	A person whose behaviour one disapproves of but who is nonetheless likeable or attractive. Cenzo you old rogue.
scomber japonicus	Small mackerel found nearly worldwide.
tinkerer	An unskilled person who tries to fix or mend.

Usage Examples of "Tinker" as a noun

• Little tinkers, we were.

Tinker as a Verb

Definitions of "Tinker" as a verb

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “tinker” as a verb can have the following definitions:

• Try to fix or mend.
• Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly.
• Attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way.
• Work as a tinker or tinkerer.

Synonyms of "Tinker" as a verb (20 Words)

dabble with	Play in or as if in water, as of small children.
dally with	Consider not very seriously.
fiddle	Play the violin or fiddle. Lena fiddled with her cup.
fiddle with	Avoid (one’s assigned duties.
fool about with	Spend frivolously and unwisely.
fool around with	Spend frivolously and unwisely.
mess around	Make a mess of or create disorder in.
monkey	Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly. Don t monkey with that lock.
monkey around	Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly.
play about with	Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome.
play around with	Be received or accepted or interpreted in a specific way.
play with	Act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome.
potter	Move around aimlessly. I m quite happy just to potter about by myself here.
potter about with	Move around aimlessly.
putter	Work lightly.
toy with	Behave carelessly or indifferently.
trifle with	Consider not very seriously.
try to improve	Put on a garment in order to see whether it fits and looks nice.
try to mend	Examine or hear (evidence or a case) by judicial process.
work amateurishly on	Exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity.

Usage Examples of "Tinker" as a verb

• Can you tinker with the T.V. set–it's not working right.
• He spent hours tinkering with the car.

Associations of "Tinker" (30 Words)

amenity	The pleasantness or attractiveness of a place. Developments which would clash with amenity.
apparatus	The complex structure of a particular organization or system. The breathing apparatus.
appliance	A device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task. The appliance of science could increase crop yields.
archer	A person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow.
butcher	A person who slaughters and cuts up animals for food. The film was butchered by the studio that released it.
contraption	A machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated, and often badly made or unsafe. Repairing stereos and making contraptions out of spare electronic bits.
contrivance	An artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc. The often tiresome contrivances of historical fiction.
convenience	A device or control that is very useful for a particular job. The large council car park next to the public conveniences.
device	An emblematic or heraldic design. The device is small enough to wear on your wrist.
drum	Play on a drum or drums. He channelled his energies into drumming with local groups.
electronic	Of or relating to electronics concerned with or using devices that operate on principles governing the behavior of electrons. An electronic calculator.
electronics	The branch of physics that deals with the emission and effects of electrons and with the use of electronic devices. Electronics engineers.
equipment	The process of supplying someone or something with necessary equipment. A gym with all the latest equipment.
expedience	Taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others.
expediency	The quality of being suited to the end in view. An act of political expediency.
fiddle	Play the violin or fiddle. He fiddled with the blind trying to prevent the sun from shining in her eyes.
gadget	A device or control that is very useful for a particular job. A variety of kitchen gadgets.
gizmo	A device or control that is very useful for a particular job. There may be some great new gizmo around the corner that you will want to use.
instrument	Equip with instruments for measuring recording or controlling. A new instrument for measuring ozone levels.
keyboard	Enter data by means of a keyboard. Keyboarding is an important job skill.
mechanism	(philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes. The mechanism of infection.
microprocessor	An integrated circuit that contains all the functions of a central processing unit of a computer. A disk drive contains a microprocessor to handle the internal functions of the drive.
play	The act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize. They made a futile play for power.
potter	A craftsman who shapes pottery on a potter s wheel and bakes them it a kiln. I m quite happy just to potter about by myself here.
rendition	(especially in the US) the practice of sending a foreign criminal or terrorist suspect covertly to be interrogated in a country with less rigorous regulations for the humane treatment of prisoners. They heard a live rendition of three pieces by Schubert.
scraper	A tool or device used for scraping, especially for removing dirt, paint, or other unwanted matter from a surface. Residues should be removed with sharp scrapers.
synthesizer	An intellectual who synthesizes or uses synthetic methods.
tool	Equip or be equipped with tools for industrial production. The beautiful Estella is Miss Havisham s tool.
toy	Move or handle (an object) absent-mindedly or nervously. Alan toyed with his glasses.
widget	An application, or a component of an interface, that enables a user to perform a function or access a service.