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1. Do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
   "The old lady is usually tinkering in her little house"
   - putter, mess around, potter, monkey, monkey around, muck about, muck around
    
2. Work as a tinker or tinkerer
    
3. Try to fix or mend
   "Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's not working right"
   - fiddle

1. A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts
   - tinkerer
    
2. Formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who travelled 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
   - chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus

Derived forms: tinkering, tinkered, tinkers

See also: tinkerer

Type of: bushel [US], do work, doctor, experimenter, fix, furbish up, gipsy, gypsy, itinerant, mackerel, mend, repair, restore, touch on, work

Part of: genus Scomber, Scomber

Encyclopedia: Tinker, Tailor Tinker Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy Tinker, Tenor, Doctor, Spy Tinker, Tailor Soldier, Spy