tinkered; tinkering
ˈtiŋ-k(ə-)riŋ 
: to work in the manner of a tinker
especially
: to repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled or experimental manner : fiddle
always tinkering with his car
: to repair, adjust, or experiment with
plural tinkers
1
a
: a usually itinerant mender of household utensils
b
: an unskillful mender : bungler
2
chiefly Ireland, sometimes offensive
: romani sense 1
Examples of tinker in a Sentence
Verb
He was tinkering in the garage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tony Jones, New York Times, 31 July 2025
While the Sphere’s version of The Wizard of Oz is far from the first time that a classic film has been tinkered with, the fact that AI was used to not only alter existing shots, but generate new imagery beyond the frame, sparked serious concerns.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
They are announced in June, at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, and software makers start tinkering with it then.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 24 July 2025
The Clippers are not done tinkering with the roster, though.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
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Verb
With all the different team motivations at play, though, the NBPA should have RFA in mind next time the CBA is up for negotiation — if not as a priority, then as something that can be tinkered with a little.
—Tony Jones, New York Times, 31 July 2025
While the Sphere’s version of The Wizard of Oz is far from the first time that a classic film has been tinkered with, the fact that AI was used to not only alter existing shots, but generate new imagery beyond the frame, sparked serious concerns.
—Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
They are announced in June, at the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference, and software makers start tinkering with it then.
—Kif Leswing, CNBC, 24 July 2025
The Clippers are not done tinkering with the roster, though.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tinker
Video
A Look at Uncommon Onomatopoeia
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Cite this Entry
“Tinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tinker. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tinker
1 of 2 noun
tin·ker
ˈtiŋ-kər
: a person who travels around and earns a living by repairing household utensils (as pots and pans)
tinker
2 of 2 verb
tinkered; tinkering
ˈtiŋ-k(ə-)riŋ
: to repair or adjust something in an unskilled or experimental manner
tinkering with his car
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