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tinker

UK
/ˈtɪŋ.kə/
US
/ˈtɪŋ.kɚ/
tinker around

Translations

tinkernoun
tinkers
pl
UK
/ˈtɪŋ.kə/
US
/ˈtɪŋ.kɚ/
rétameurMétier ancien et rare ; personne qui réparait des ustensiles métalliques en itinérance.
The tinker set up his small workshop by the roadside, offering to repair pots and pans for the villagers.
Le rétameur installa son petit atelier au bord de la route, proposant de réparer les casseroles et les poêles des villageois.
garnementPour un enfant espiègle ou turbulent.
The little tinker managed to sneak into the kitchen and eat all the cookies before dinner.
Le petit garnement réussit à se faufiler dans la cuisine et à manger tous les biscuits avant le dîner.
bricoleurPersonne qui aime expérimenter ou réparer des objets mécaniques.
As a tinker at heart, she spent her weekends fixing old clocks and radios.
Bricoleuse dans l’âme, elle passait ses week-ends à réparer de vieilles horloges et des radios.
Additional translations
tziganeVieux terme péjoratif ou offensant selon le contexte ; à employer avec prudence.
bidouilleurFamilier ; pour quelqu’un qui expérimente en improvisant avec des mécanismes ou des appareils.
Synonyms
repairer
craftsman
handyman
fixer
mender
tinkerverb
tinkered
Past Simple
tinkered
Past Participle
tinkering
Gerund
UK
/ˈtɪŋkə/
US
/ˈtɪŋkər/
bricolerRéparer ou améliorer de manière approximative, souvent sans grand résultat.
He spent the afternoon tinkering with the old radio, but it still wouldn't work.
Il a passé l’après-midi à bricoler l’ancienne radio, mais elle ne marchait toujours pas.
Additional translations
bidouillerFamilier ; insister sur l’aspect expérimental, improvisé ou peu méthodique.
rafistolerSurtout pour une réparation sommaire, souvent provisoire.
Synonyms
repair
improve
experiment
play
fiddle
mend
fix
adjust

Definitions

tinkernoun
A person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils as a way of making a living.
The tinker set up his small workshop by the roadside, offering to repair pots and pans for the villagers.
A person who enjoys experimenting with and repairing mechanical devices.
As a tinker at heart, she spent her weekends fixing old clocks and radios.
A mischievous child.
The little tinker managed to sneak into the kitchen and eat all the cookies before dinner.
(offensive) A member of an itinerant people traditionally travelling in Scotland and Ireland; a Gypsy or Irish Traveller.
The old law included harsh penalties aimed at tinkers who camped on common land.
tinkerverb
To attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way, often to no useful effect.
He spent the afternoon tinkering with the old radio, but it still wouldn't work.
To busy oneself with something aimlessly or experimentally; fiddle.
She tinkered around in the kitchen, rearranging the cupboards just for fun.
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