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• trim
  trim

  verb (used with object)

  to put into a neat or orderly condition by clipping, paring, pruning, etc..
• Trim
  Trim

  noun

  the county town of Meath, Republic of Ireland; 12th-century castle, medieval cathedral; textiles and machinery. Pop: 5894 (2002)

trim

American  

[trim] / trɪm /

verb (used with object)

• trims,
  present (3rd person singular)
• trimmed,
  past participle,  past
• trimming
  present participle

1. to put into a neat or orderly condition by clipping, paring, pruning, etc..

   to trim a hedge.

   Synonyms:

   lop, cut, shave, shear

2. to remove (something superfluous or dispensable) by or as if by cutting (often followed byoff ).

   to trim off loose threads from a ragged edge.

3. to cut down, as to required size or shape.

   trim a budget; trim a piece of wood.

4. Aeronautics. to level off (an airship or airplane) in flight.

5. Nautical.

   1. to distribute the load of (a ship) so that it sits well in the water.

   2. to stow or arrange, as cargo.

   3. to adjust (the sails or yards) with reference to the direction of the wind and the course of the ship.

6. to decorate or adorn with ornaments or embellishments.

   to trim a dress with fur.

   Synonyms:

   garnish, embellish, ornament, bedeck, deck

7. to arrange goods in (a store window, showcase, etc.) as a display.

8. to prepare or adjust (a lamp, fire, etc.) for proper burning.

9. Informal.

   1. to rebuke or reprove.

   2. to beat or thrash.

   3. to defeat.

10. to dress or array (often followed byup ).

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verb (used without object)

• trims,
  present (3rd person singular)
• trimmed,
  past participle,  past
• trimming
  present participle

1. Nautical.

   1. to assume a particular position or trim in the water, as a vessel.

   2. to adjust the sails or yards with reference to the direction of the wind and the course of the ship.

2. to pursue a neutral or cautious policy between parties.

3. to accommodate one's views to the prevailing opinion for reasons of expediency.

noun

• trims
  plural

1. the condition, order, or fitness of a person or thing for action, work, use, etc.

2. Nautical.

   1. the set of a ship in the water, especially the most advantageous one.

   2. the condition of a ship with reference to its fitness for sailing.

   3. the adjustment of sails, rigging, etc., with reference to wind direction and the course of the ship.

   4. the condition of a submarine as regards buoyancy.

3. a person's dress, adornment, or appearance.

4. material used for decoration or embellishment; decorative trimming.

   Synonyms:

   garnish, adornment

5. decoration of a store window for the display of merchandise; window dressing.

6. a trimming by cutting, clipping, or the like.

7. a haircut that restores the previous cut to neatness without changing the hairstyle.

8. something that is cut off or eliminated.

9. Aeronautics. the attitude of an airplane with respect to all three axes, at which balance occurs in forward flight under no controls.

10. Building Trades. finished woodwork or the like used to decorate or border openings or wall surfaces, as cornices, baseboards, or moldings.

11. Automotive.

    1. the upholstery, knobs, handles, and other equipment inside a motor car.

    2. ornamentation on the exterior of an automobile, especially in metal or a contrasting color.

adjective

• trimmer,
  comparative
• trimmest
  superlative

1. pleasingly neat or smart in appearance.

   trim lawns.

   Synonyms:

   spruce, trig, compact

2. in good condition or order.

3. (of a person) in excellent physical condition.

   Swimming is a good way to keep trim.

4. slim; lean.

5. Obsolete. good, excellent, or fine.

adverb

1. trimly.

idioms

1. trim one's sails. sail.

trim ¹ British  

/ trɪm /

adjective

1. neat and spruce in appearance

2. slim; slender

3. in good condition

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verb

1. to put in good order, esp by cutting or pruning

2. to shape and finish (timber)

3. to adorn or decorate

4. to cut so as to remove

   to trim off a branch

5. to cut down to the desired size or shape

   to trim material to a pattern

6. dialect to decorate

   to trim a Christmas tree

7. nautical

   1. (also intr) to adjust the balance of (a vessel) or (of a vessel) to maintain an even balance, by distribution of ballast, cargo, etc

   2. (also intr) to adjust (a vessel's sails) to take advantage of the wind

   3. to stow (cargo)

8. to balance (an aircraft) before flight by adjusting the position of the load or in flight by the use of trim tabs, fuel transfer, etc

9. (also intr) to modify (one's opinions, etc) to suit opposing factions or for expediency

10. informal to thrash or beat

11. informal to rebuke

12. obsolete to furnish or equip

noun

1. a decoration or adornment

2. the upholstery and decorative facings, as on the door panels, of a car's interior

3. proper order or fitness; good shape

   in trim

4. a haircut that neatens but does not alter the existing hairstyle

5. nautical

   1. the general set and appearance of a vessel

   2. the difference between the draught of a vessel at the bow and at the stern

   3. the fitness of a vessel

   4. the position of a vessel's sails relative to the wind

   5. the relative buoyancy of a submarine

6. dress or equipment

7. window-dressing

8. the attitude of an aircraft in flight when the pilot allows the main control surfaces to take up their own positions

9. films a section of shot cut out during editing

10. material that is trimmed off

11. decorative mouldings, such as architraves, picture rails, etc

Trim ² British  

/ trɪm /

noun

1. the county town of Meath, Republic of Ireland; 12th-century castle, medieval cathedral; textiles and machinery. Pop: 5894 (2002)

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trimness
  noun
• overtrim
  verb
• pretrim
  verb
• trimly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• trims
  plural

Adjectives

• trimmer
  comparative
• trimmest
  superlative

Participles

• trimming
  present
• trimmed
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• trim
  simple
• trims
  simple
• have trimmed
  perfect
• has trimmed
  perfect
• am trimming
  progressive
• are trimming
  progressive
• is trimming
  progressive
• have been trimming
  perfect progressive
• has been trimming
  perfect progressive

Past

• trimmed
  simple
• had trimmed
  perfect
• was trimming
  progressive
• were trimming
  progressive
• had been trimming
  perfect progressive

Future

• will trim
  simple
• will have trimmed
  perfect
• will be trimming
  progressive
• will have been trimming
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of trim

First recorded before 900; probably continuing Old English trymman, trymian “to strengthen, prepare” (not recorded in ME), derivative of trum “strong, active”; akin to Irish dron “strong,” Greek drȳmós “coppice,” Latin dūrus “hard”; see tree

Explanation

When you cut something, literally or figuratively, you trim it. If you have steady hands, you can trim your own bangs. If you don't have steady hands, you can save up for a professional haircut by trimming the amount of money you spend on comics and snacks. A landscaper trims the grass and shrubs, and a cook trims fat off of meat before cooking it. But when you trim the Christmas tree, you decorate it, and when a sailor trims the sails, she adjusts them so they'll catch the wind just right. And as a noun, a trim is "an act of cutting," while trim is "decoration." All forms of this word are rooted in nautical language.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trim Trim trims trimmer trimmest trimmed trimming

The disruption is likely to trim Thai Airways’ 2026 earnings before interest and taxes by 230 million baht, which is equivalent to only 0.9% of DBS’s 2026 Ebit estimate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

An unexpected bold red with a contrasting strip of vibrant blue trim.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

Jacobs’ residence is constructed from stone and plaster, with a slate roof and copper trim.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026

The cordon surrounds the scene, which is close to the fishing lake, and two camping tents - one of which is white with a navy blue trim - have been pitched.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

“I got word from Saint Catharines about you coming. I hear you’re wantin’ to know about your daddy and his brother, Mr. Matthew,” he said, running his fingers through his trim gray beard.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

The accused, who was arrested on Wednesday, was brought before a special sitting of Trim District Court in County Meath on Friday evening.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

At the top of Trim Mountain we find the Prestige package.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026

Trim positions if you have to, but hold on to the shares of this AI winner.

From Barron's ● Nov. 24, 2025

Trim lower tree branches and keep woodpiles away from vegetation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2025

Before Corporal Trim reads the sermon his exact attitude is described so that, as the author says, "a statuary might have modelled from it."

From Shelburne Essays, Third Series by Paul Elmer More

Bernstein cuts its recommendation on Eurofins stock to market perform from outperform, and trims its target price to 73.90 euros from 77.20 euros.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026

The Semi comes in two trims, Standard Range and Long Range, with the latter capable of driving 500 miles before needing to recharge.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026

Jarden trims its target price 1.0% to 24.20 Australian dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Macquarie trims its target price 3.1% to 4.75 Australian dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

I picture my mother standing behind me with a comb and a pair of scissors, faintly smiling as she trims my hair, and I want to scream rather than insult her like this.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

During her stint as a tree trimmer, she guessed about 70% of the properties she worked on sat empty because they were either second homes or unoccupied Airbnbs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2024

Men with enormous beards that have never known the touch of a trimmer.

From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2024

Like Tom, Adam, who has also dealt with depression and anxiety, has his own experience of unwillingly shaving his beard after a trimmer malfunction left him with no other option.

From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2023

“Due to the large amount of overtime, a journeyman line clearance tree trimmer can make $70,000 to $120,000 per year, give or take,” Shaw said.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 6, 2023

He was wearing the same kind of uniform as the first guy but was ten or fifteen years older and a whole lot trimmer.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

This design gives the A8F a stunning presentation of just a giant display with the trimmest of bezels surrounding it.

From The Verge ● Nov. 2, 2018

The company has an annual voluntary 12-week challenge in the fall to encourage employees to be active and not pack on the holiday pounds, with prizes for those who stay trimmest.

From Forbes ● Feb. 25, 2011

Young, rich Stephen Carlton Clark had married Susan Hun, descendant of brownest, trimmest Albany ancestors.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was hell last week on one of the biggest, whitest and trimmest of U.S. inland excursion steamers, the Island Queen.

From Time Magazine Archive

When he had been taken tenderly for an "airing" by the trimmest of nursemaids, and in the daintiest of perambulators.

From An Australian Lassie by A.J. (Alfred J.) Johnson

The analysts trimmed their price target on Netflix to $95 from $100, to account for lower earnings estimates in the wake of Netflix’s mixed second-quarter results in July.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026

These customers still get their nails filed, buffed, and trimmed.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

Consider the fact that an HOA is responsible for enforcing landscaping requirements, such as making sure homeowners have trimmed their grass.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

The ceiling mural is trimmed in baby pink, which builds upon pink details in paintings on surrounding walls.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

He trimmed them expertly with his knife, lashed them with braided vines, and in no time at all the dwarf held up a serviceable cage.

From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander

Airlines have resumed trimming schedules through the end of the year, resulting in higher airfares for some destinations and worries about even more expensive tickets over major traveling holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

As refiners focused on jet-fuel runs in the spring, airlines announced capacity cuts, trimming their schedules to preserve fuel for their more profitable and popular routes.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

U.K. 30-year gilt yields last traded at 5.813%, trimming their earlier rise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Companies including Under Armour and Helen of Troy are trimming product lineups to focus on bestsellers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026

There was a regular rose garden and I started trimming in that.

From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson

Related Words

• clip
• curtail
• cut
• cut back
• cut down
• mow
• pare
• prune
• shave
• shear
• shorten
• whittle down