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¹trim

verb \ˈtrim\

: to cut (something) off something else : to remove (something) by cutting

: to make (something) neat by cutting it

: to make the size, amount, or extent of (something) smaller

trimmedtrim·ming

Full Definition of TRIM

transitive verb

: to embellish with or as if with ribbons, lace, or ornaments <trim the Christmas tree> <the coat was trimmed with fur>

a : to administer a beating to : thrash

b : defeat <trimmed me at chess>

a : to make trim and neat especially by cutting or clipping <trim the hedges>

b : to free of excess or extraneous matter by or as if by cutting <trim a budget> <trim down the inventory>

c : to remove by or as if by cutting <trimmed thousands from federal payrolls — Grit>

a (1) : to cause (as a ship) to assume a desirable position in the water by arrangement of ballast, cargo, or passengers (2) : to adjust (as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal movement or for motion upward or downward

b : to adjust (as cargo or a sail) to a desired position

intransitive verb

a : to maintain neutrality between opposing parties or to favor each equally

b : to change one's views for reasons of expediency

: to assume or cause a boat to assume a desired position in the water <a boat that trims badly>

— trim one's sails

: to adjust oneself or one's actions to prevailing conditions <compromise or trim your sails to suit the political winds — Philip Johnston>

See trim defined for English-language learners

See trim defined for kids

Origin of TRIM

probably from Middle English *trimmen to prepare, put in order, from Old English trymian, trymman to strengthen, arrange, from trum strong, firm; probably akin to Old English trēo tree, wood — more at tree

First Known Use: circa 1521

Related to TRIM

Synonyms: best, conquer, defeat, dispatch, do down [British], get, get around, lick, master, overbear, overcome, overmatch, prevail (over), skunk, stop, subdue, surmount, take, beat, triumph (over), upend, win (against), worst

Antonyms: lose (to)

Rhymes with TRIM

bream, brim, dim, glim, grim, Grimm, gym, him, hymn, limb, limn, mim, nim, prim, rim, scrim, shim, skim, slim, swim, Tim, vim, whim

²trim

adjective

: neat and orderly

: slim and healthy

trim·mertrim·mest

Full Definition of TRIM

obsolete : excellent, fine

: ready for service or use; also : in good physical condition <keeps trim by jogging>

: exhibiting neatness, good order, or compactness of line or structure <trim houses>

— trim·ly adverb

— trim·ness noun

See trim defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TRIM

circa 1521

Related to TRIM

Synonyms: antiseptic, bandbox, crisp, groomed, kempt, orderly, picked up, prim, shipshape, smug, snug, tidied, tidy, trig, neat, uncluttered, well-groomed

Antonyms: disheveled (or dishevelled), disordered, disorderly, messy, mussed, mussy, sloven, slovenly, unkempt, untidy

³trim

adverb

Definition of TRIM

: in a trim manner : trimly —used chiefly in combination <the trim-cut forest vistas — W. M. Thackeray>

First Known Use of TRIM

1529

⁴trim

noun

: an act of trimming something (such as hair)

: material (such as ribbons, lace, etc.) that is used for decorating something especially around its edges

Full Definition of TRIM

: suitable or excellent condition <tries to keep in trim>

a : one's clothing or appearance

b : material used for ornament or trimming

c : the woodwork in the finish of a building especially around openings

d : the interior furnishings of an automobile

a : the position of a ship or boat especially with reference to the horizontal; also : the difference between the draft of a ship forward and that aft

b : the relation between the plane of a sail and the direction of the ship

c : the buoyancy status of a submarine

d : the attitude of a lighter-than-air craft relative to a fore-and-aft horizontal plane

e : the attitude with respect to wind axes at which an airplane will continue in level flight with free controls

: something that is trimmed off or cut out

: a haircut that neatens a previous haircut

See trim defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of TRIM

circa 1593

Related to TRIM

Synonyms: estate, fettle, form, health, keeping, kilter, nick [British], order, repair, shape, condition

Other Automotive Terms

articulated, block, choke, clutch, diesel, neutral, transmission

Trim

geographical name \ˈtrim\

Definition of TRIM

town E Ireland ∗ of County Meath pop 1781

TRIMMED Defined for Kids

¹trim

verb \ˈtrim\

trimmedtrim·ming

Definition of TRIM for Kids

: to put decorations on : adorn <The dress is trimmed in lace.>

: to make neat especially by cutting or clipping <He trimmed his beard.>

: to free of unnecessary matter <We need to trim our expenses.>

: to adjust (as a sail) to a desired position

— trim·mer noun

Headscratcher for TRIM

If you're trimming something, you could be adding to it or taking away from it. Trim can mean cutting off and getting rid of anything extra, such as branches from a bush, or it can mean adding decorations, such as to a present.