tinker

Meanings

• a person who enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts
• formerly a person (traditionally a Gypsy) who traveled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living
• small mackerel found nearly worldwide
• do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
• work as a tinker or tinkerer
• try to fix or mend
  • "Can you tinker with the T.V. set--it's not working right"

Synonyms

chub mackerel, fiddle, mess around, monkey, monkey around, muck about, muck around, potter, putter, Scomber japonicus, tinkerer