tinker
noun
a mender of pots, kettles, pans, etc., usually an itinerant.
had tinkered
-
past perfectof tinker.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
By Friday, he had tinkered it down to “Nimbra,” for whatever reason.
From Slate ● Jan. 20, 2024
Here is what appeared to have happened, according to interviews and public records: The year before, the city had tinkered with the water, increasing its acidity to tamp down on possible carcinogens.
From New York Times ● Aug. 24, 2019
Azubuike missed time with an ankle injury, then needed wrist surgery, and suddenly the twin-post lineups that Self had tinkered with all offseason were useless.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 18, 2019
The Ducks football coach had tinkered with the spread formation but, after a couple of seasons, wasn’t getting the results he wanted.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2017
The amateur riggers who had tinkered with the Polly's gear in makeshift fashion had not troubled to smooth off spikes with which they had repaired the martingale's lower end.
From Blow The Man Down A Romance Of The Coast - 1916 by Holman Day
