trim

[ trim ]

/ trɪm /

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 hair style.

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.

Idioms for trim

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

Origin of trim

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

SYNONYMS 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

OTHER WORDS FROM trim

trim·ly, adverb trim·ness, noun o·ver·trim, verb, o·ver·trimmed, o·ver·trim·ming. pre·trim, verb, pre·trimmed, pre·trim·ming.

Words nearby trim

trilobed, trilobite, trilocular, trilogy, trilogy of fallot, trim, trim die, trim one's sails, trim rail, trim size, trim tab

Example sentences from the Web for trim

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
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
Picking my way between fully exposed pie wagons and wide-loads, I did, however, feel quite fit and trim myself.

Why I Hate The Beach |P. J. O’Rourke |July 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
He is a relatively young man with a trim, tight beard and receding hairline.

Power Shortages Hit Gaza Maternity Ward |Jesse Rosenfeld |July 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

He has also managed to trim costs in an era of sequestration.

Spy Chief James Clapper: We Can’t Stop Another Snowden |Eli Lake |February 24, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
There was a well-kept lawn in front of it, with here and there a trim flower-bed to relieve the monotony of the expanse of grass.

The Lost Valley |J. M. Walsh
As for us, we wished we could do anything more active than sit still and trim the boat.

Parkhurst Boys |Talbot Baines Reed
Sew one-half inch below this with stab stitch, trim material off close under this stitching.

Make Your Own Hats |Gene Allen Martin
It was during his captivity here that he first lost hope; his hair turned gray and his trim, jaunty cavalier air forsook him.

In Unfamiliar England |Thomas Dowler Murphy
He laid the washing-book on the table, and taking out his penknife, began to trim his nails.

The Moonstone |Wilkie Collins

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 remove to trim off a branch

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

dialect to decorate to 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 shape in 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, adverb trimness, 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)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

trim

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

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

noun

adjective, trim·mer, trim·mest.

adverb

Idioms for trim

Origin of trim

SYNONYMS FOR trim

OTHER WORDS FROM trim

Words nearby trim

Example sentences from the Web for trim

British Dictionary definitions for trim (1 of 2)

adjective trimmer or trimmest

verb trims, trimming or trimmed (mainly tr)

noun

Derived forms of trim

Word Origin for trim

British Dictionary definitions for trim (2 of 2)

noun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

trim

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

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

noun

adjective, trim·mer, trim·mest.

adverb

Idioms for trim

Origin of trim

SYNONYMS FOR trim

OTHER WORDS FROM trim

Words nearby trim

Words related to trim

Example sentences from the Web for trim

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for trim (1 of 2)

adjective trimmer or trimmest

verb trims, trimming or trimmed (mainly tr)

noun

Derived forms of trim

Word Origin for trim

British Dictionary definitions for trim (2 of 2)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for trim (1 of 2)