trim

[ trim ]

/ trɪm /

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See synonyms for: trim / trimmed / trimmer / trimming on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), trimmed, trim·ming.

to put into a neat or orderly condition by clipping, paring, pruning, etc.: to trim a hedge.

to remove (something superfluous or dispensable) by or as if by cutting (often followed by off): to trim off loose threads from a ragged edge.

to cut down, as to required size or shape: trim a budget; trim a piece of wood.

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

Nautical.

to distribute the load of (a ship) so that it sits well in the water.
to stow or arrange, as cargo.
to adjust (the sails or yards) with reference to the direction of the wind and the course of the ship.

to decorate or adorn with ornaments or embellishments: to trim a dress with fur.

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

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

Informal.

to rebuke or reprove.
to beat or thrash.
to defeat.

to dress or array (often followed by up).

verb (used without object), trimmed, trim·ming.

Nautical.

to assume a particular position or trim in the water, as a vessel.
to adjust the sails or yards with reference to the direction of the wind and the course of the ship.

to pursue a neutral or cautious policy between parties.

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

noun

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

Nautical.

the set of a ship in the water, especially the most advantageous one.
the condition of a ship with reference to its fitness for sailing.
the adjustment of sails, rigging, etc., with reference to wind direction and the course of the ship.
the condition of a submarine as regards buoyancy.

a person's dress, adornment, or appearance.

material used for decoration or embellishment; decorative trimming.

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

a trimming by cutting, clipping, or the like.

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

something that is cut off or eliminated.

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

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

Automotive.

the upholstery, knobs, handles, and other equipment inside a motor car.
ornamentation on the exterior of an automobile, especially in metal or a contrasting color.

adjective, trim·mer, trim·mest.

pleasingly neat or smart in appearance: trim lawns.

in good condition or order.

(of a person) in excellent physical condition: Swimming is a good way to keep trim.

slim; lean.

Obsolete. good, excellent, or fine.

adverb

trimly.

OTHER WORDS FOR trim

1 shear, shave, cut, lop.

6 deck, bedeck, ornament, embellish, garnish.

17 adornment, garnish.

25 compact, trig, spruce.

See synonyms for trim on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about trim

trim one's sails. sail (def. 19).

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

OTHER WORDS FROM trim

trimly, adverbtrimness, nouno·ver·trim, verb, o·ver·trimmed, o·ver·trim·ming.pre·trim, verb, pre·trimmed, pre·trim·ming.

Words nearby trim

trilobate, trilobed, trilobite, trilocular, trilogy, trim, trimaran, Trimble, trim die, trime, trimer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trim in a sentence

In the real world, you’d be able to appreciate the silver paint and orange wheels and trim.
22 of the weirdest concept motorcycles ever made|By John Burns/Cycle World|September 10, 2020|Popular-Science
You’ll have to trim a bit off the edges, but a 36-by-24-inch frame will give you the best results.
Five cool ways to upcycle old coffee sacks|Harry Guinness|August 27, 2020|Popular-Science
You can easily do an eight-inch cross cut at 90 degrees and cut lumber, hardwoods, trim, and more without much effort.
Make every project a breeze with the right miter saw|PopSci Commerce Team|August 26, 2020|Popular-Science
“It’s easy to hire people but hard to trim the fat,” the exec said.
‘Not enough money to go around’: US digital-media publishers curb international expansion|Lucinda Southern|August 26, 2020|Digiday

The state held SDG&E responsible because it failed to trim back the tree.
Watchdog Warns: SDG&E’s Tree-Trimming Plan Could Worsen Wildfires|MacKenzie Elmer|August 24, 2020|Voice of San Diego
His flesh is sagging a bit, but he is still trim and looks lean, sinewy and tough.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Fold over the edges and crimp, then trim any remaining excess.
Make ‘The Chew’s’ Carla Hall’s Pumpkin Pecan Pie|Carla Hall|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So the following year dozens of Santas, in full red and white trim, boarded a plane to Portland.
Before the Bros, SantaCon Was as an Anti-Corporate Protest|David Freedlander|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Rubenstein turned 65 in August, and he appears as trim and energetic as when he pulled all-nighters in the Carter White House.
Patriotic Philanthropy: Not an Oxymoron|Eleanor Clift|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An older and firmly round fellow with a trim beard leaned his head back and fought off tears.
I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Very trim and strong, and confident he looked, with the glow of youth in his cheeks, and the spark of happiness in his gray eyes.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
A trim maid then brought in the tea equipage, and Georgie did the honours with her usual unaffected grace.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Then we mounted and took to the trail again, stripped down to fighting-trim, unhampered by a pack-horse.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
The sense, in the present passage, is evidently 'to trim,' with reference to the eyebrows.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
He scarcely dares glance at the trim ankle which she shows as she holds her dress out of the mud.
Camille (La Dame aux Camilias)|Alexandre Dumas, fils

British Dictionary definitions for trim (1 of 2)

trim

/ (trɪm) /

adjective trimmer or trimmest

neat and spruce in appearance

slim; slender

in good condition

verb trims, trimming or trimmed (mainly tr)

to put in good order, esp by cutting or pruning

to shape and finish (timber)

to adorn or decorate

(sometimes foll by off or away) to cut so as to removeto trim off a branch

to cut down to the desired size or shapeto trim material to a pattern

dialect to decorateto trim a Christmas tree

nautical

(also intr) to adjust the balance of (a vessel) or (of a vessel) to maintain an even balance, by distribution of ballast, cargo, etc
(also intr) to adjust (a vessel's sails) to take advantage of the wind
to stow (cargo)

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

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

informal to thrash or beat

informal to rebuke

obsolete to furnish or equip

noun

a decoration or adornment

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

proper order or fitness; good shapein trim

a haircut that neatens but does not alter the existing hairstyle

nautical

the general set and appearance of a vessel
the difference between the draught of a vessel at the bow and at the stern
the fitness of a vessel
the position of a vessel's sails relative to the wind
the relative buoyancy of a submarine

dress or equipment

US window-dressing

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

films a section of shot cut out during editing

material that is trimmed off

decorative mouldings, such as architraves, picture rails, etc

Derived forms of trim

trimly, adverbtrimness, noun

Word Origin for trim

Old English trymman to strengthen; related to trum strong, Old Irish druma tree, Russian drom thicket

British Dictionary definitions for trim (2 of 2)

Trim

/ (trɪm) /

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

trim

OTHER WORDS FOR trim

Idioms about trim

Origin of trim

OTHER WORDS FROM trim

Words nearby trim

Words related to trim

How to use trim in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trim (1 of 2)

Derived forms of trim

Word Origin for trim

British Dictionary definitions for trim (2 of 2)