tinker

5 definitions • 6 examples

to make small changes to something, especially in an attempt to repair or improve it:

He spends every weekend tinkering (around) with his car.

I wish the government would stop tinkering with the health service.

especially in the past, a person who travelled from place to place, repairing pans or other metal containers

a child who behaves badly:

[ as form of address ] You tinker, Nicky, you shouldn't have done that.

Don't be such a tinker.

the activity of making small changes to something:

I'll just have a tinker with the TV and see if I can get it to work.

to make small changes in something, because you hope to improve or fix it:

Chuck tinkers with the car’s engine all the time.