tamper
Tamper (verb) means to interfere with something in an unauthorized or harmful way. Example: “Someone had tampered with the lock overnight.”
How to use tamper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo meddle with something you shouldn't, usually to damage, alter, or corrupt it.
Always takes "with" — you tamper with something, not tamper something.
Word forms
tampered past tense, tampers plural, tampers singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Someone had _____ with the lock overnight.
Etymology
From tamp ("to pack down firmly") plus the agent/frequentative suffix -er.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for tamper
See all rhymes for tamper →Frequently asked questions
What does “tamper” mean?
The word “tamper” means to interfere with something in an unauthorized or harmful way. In plain terms, to meddle with something you shouldn't, usually to damage, alter, or corrupt it.
How do you pronounce “tamper”?
“Tamper” is pronounced TAM-puh (/ˈtæm.pə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “tamper” in a sentence?
Here is “tamper” used in a sentence: “Someone had tampered with the lock overnight.”
What part of speech is “tamper”?
“Tamper” is a verb.
How many meanings does “tamper” have?
“Tamper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to interfere with something in an unauthorized or harmful way.