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Definition of tinkertoy

tinkertoy

/ˈtɪŋkərˌtɔɪ/
tin · ker · toy
Plural:tinkertoys
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tinkertoy Lexical Profile

tinkertoy Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A trademarked children's construction toy consisting of wooden or plastic spools, rods, and other interlocking components used to build three-dimensional models and structures.

Example

"The children spent the afternoon on the living room rug building a miniature suspension bridge out of Tinkertoys."

2

North American Something regarded as flimsy, makeshift, or overly simplistic in its construction or design.

Example

"Critics dismissed the prototype vehicle as a fragile tinkertoy that could never withstand rugged terrain."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for tinkertoy

• Nearby Words

tink
tinker
tinkerer
tinkertoy
tinkisso
tinkle
tinkly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1914 as a trademark by American stonemason Charles H. Pajeau and businessman Robert Pettit, combining the words 'tinker' and 'toy'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Tinkertoy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/tinkertoy
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