clanker
Americannoun
plural
clankers-
Slang. a robot, chatbot, or AI app (often derogatory).
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Slang. any piece of technology that is old, worthless, or in poor condition.
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Slang. a lie or fib.
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Slang. a flop or failure.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The term clanker reflects a certain real unease about robots and A.I. coming for our jobs, as well as our annoyance at having to talk to robot voices instead of human customer service representatives.
From Slate • Aug. 31, 2025
In the end, mocking clanker lovers is really about mocking the loneliness that drives people toward machines in the first place.
From Slate • Aug. 31, 2025
The Raiders held an efficient-if-not-spectacular Michigan offense to 16 field goals, 32 percent shooting and only a single 3-point basket on 19 attempts - a clanker by C.J.
From Washington Times • Mar. 29, 2019
The Raiders held an efficient-if-not-spectacular Michigan offense to 16 field goals, 32 percent shooting and only a single 3-point basket on 19 attempts — a clanker by C.J.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 28, 2019
“What clanker have we here?” exclaimed the squire.
From Janice Meredith by Ford, Paul Leicester
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
