Tinkered

To make small changes or adjustments to something, especially with the intention of improving or repairing it; to work or play with something in an experimental or casual way. This often implies a hands-on approach and a willingness to experiment. The changes made may be minor or haphazard and don't necessarily involve expert-level knowledge. 'Tinkered' suggests a level of informal manipulation or adjustment, differing from a complete overhaul or professional repair. It also infers a desire to understand how something functions by exploring its mechanisms and components. It can be applied to both mechanical objects and abstract systems, like a computer code or a business plan.

Tinkered meaning with examples

• After the old radio stopped working, my grandfather spent hours **tinkering** with the wires and tubes, determined to get it playing again. He wasn't an expert, but he loved the process of trying to fix it and often got it to work again. Eventually, he got it back to his favorite AM talk show.
• The programmer spent the afternoon **tinkering** with the code, trying to optimize the website's loading speed. Each adjustment made a slight change, and each time the coder got a little closer to a more effective result. It was a slow process, and lots of mistakes were made, but the goal was to get an effective result.
• The mechanic tinkered with the engine of the classic car, replacing old parts with new ones and trying to bring it to life. The mechanic spent hours trying to get the old machine back to new and it had plenty of different areas that needed adjustment to perform optimally.
• The artist tinkered with the sculpture, adding small details and adjusting the balance until it felt right. The artist made the smallest adjustments and considered how they would impact the final product until they were satisfied with the final results.