Tinkering - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Tinkering means making small adjustments or repairs to something, often in an experimental or casual way. It implies working with tools or ideas to improve or understand them better.
Definition:
Making small changes or repairs, often experimentally or without a clear plan.
Synonyms:
fiddling, adjusting, tweaking, repairing
Part of Speech:
noun, verb (gerund)
Antonyms:
neglecting, ignoring
Common Collocations:
tinkering with gadgets, tinkering in the garage, tinkering on the car
Derivatives:
tinkerer, tinkered
Usage Tips:
Use "tinkering" to describe casual or experimental adjustments, often implying a lack of formal expertise.
Common Phrases:
tinkering away, tinkering under the hood, tinkering with ideas
Etymology:
Derived from "tinker," originally referring to itinerant metalworkers who repaired household items informally.
Examples:
- 1. He enjoys tinkering with old radios in his spare time.
- 2. She spent the afternoon tinkering on her bicycle to fix a squeaky wheel.
- 3. The inventor was always tinkering with new gadgets in his workshop.
- 4. Stop tinkering with the settings—you might break something!