tinker
noun
a mender of pots, kettles, pans, etc., usually an itinerant.
have been tinkering
-
present perfect progressiveof tinker.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
Tech companies have been tinkering with smartglasses and other face-mounted computing devices for over a decade.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
The opening is part of a major player development overhaul for the Nationals, who have been tinkering with the staff since mid-September.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 11, 2021
More recently, a number of companies have been tinkering with technological solutions such as direct air capture, which involves using giant fans to pull carbon dioxide out of the air and bury it underground.
From New York Times ● Nov. 5, 2021
Ever since films like "Jaws" and "Star Wars" established a model for ambitious, FX-filled features that could make a lot of money, studios have been tinkering with blockbusters in the summer.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2021
These partisans may have been involved in some dark forest magic, but they should not have been tinkering with the higher magic of radio.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
