WordWeb Online

1. 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
    
2. Small mackerel found nearly worldwide
   - chub mackerel, Scomber japonicus
    
3. A person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts
   - tinkerer

1. Do random, unplanned work, activities or spend time idly
   "The old lady is usually tinkering in her little house";
   - putter [N. Amer], mess around, potter [Brit], monkey around [informal], muck about [Brit, informal], muck around [Brit, informal]
    
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

Derived forms: tinkered, tinkering, tinkers

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

Part of: genus Scomber, Scomber

Encyclopedia: Tinker, Tailor