trim

1 of 4

verb

trimmed; trimming

transitive verb

1
a
: to remove by or as if by cutting
trimmed thousands from federal payrollsGrit
b
: to make trim and neat especially by cutting or clipping
trim the hedges
c
: to free of excess or extraneous matter by or as if by cutting
trim a budget
trim down the inventory
2
: to embellish with or as if with ribbons, lace, or ornaments
trim the Christmas tree
the coat was trimmed with fur
3
a
: to administer a beating to : thrash
b
: defeat
trimmed me at chess
4
a(1)
: to cause (a ship) to assume a desirable position in the water by arrangement of ballast, cargo, or passengers
(2)
: to adjust (something, such as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal movement or for motion upward or downward
b
: to adjust (something, such as cargo or a sail) to a desired position

intransitive verb

1
a
: to maintain neutrality between opposing parties or to favor each equally
b
: to change one's views for reasons of expediency
2
: to assume or cause a boat to assume a desired position in the water
a boat that trims badly

trim

2 of 4

adjective

trimmer; trimmest
1
: exhibiting neatness, good order, or compactness of line or structure
a trim beard
trim lawns
… a trim, well-built beach house not far from a spanking new superhighway.The Saturday Review
2
: slim and physically fit
kept himself trim by biking every day
His lithe student, trim in a tennis dress, watched while holding her racquet on her shoulder.E. L. Doctorow
3
: ready for service or use
4
obsolete : excellent, fine
trimly adverb
trimness noun

trim

3 of 4

adverb

: in a trim manner : trimly
used chiefly in combination
the trim-cut forest vistasW. M. Thackeray

trim

4 of 4

noun

1
: a haircut that neatens a previous haircut
2
a
: material used for ornament or trimming
b
: the material (such as wood, stone, or vinyl) in the finish of a building especially around openings
But now, marble is back in style with a vengeance, in demand for building facades, interior trim and finishes.David Roberts
In home building, carpenters build the house framework, frame the roof and interior partitions, and install doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, wood paneling, and molding and trim.Occupational Outlook Handbook
c
: the interior furnishings of an automobile
d
: one's clothing or appearance
3
: suitable or excellent condition
tries to keep in trim
4
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
5
: something that is trimmed off or cut out
Phrases
trim one's sails
: to adjust oneself or one's actions to prevailing conditions
compromise or trim your sails to suit the political windsPhilip Johnston

Examples of trim in a Sentence

Verb The hedges need to be trimmed. They are looking for ways to trim the budget. We trimmed the Christmas tree. a pillow trimmed in lace Adjective She has a trim figure. He keeps fit and trim by biking. Noun a skirt with lace trim the doctor declared her to be in good trim for the race
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Cramer acknowledged that some investors, particularly traders with a more short-term view, are inclined to automatically trim stocks when bond yields rise. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 But there has been no political consensus — or will — to either gradually trim benefits or raise taxes to stabilize the program. Neil Irwin, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
Adjective
For starters, building material manufacturer Modern Mill introduced ACRE, a 100% tree-free, recyclable product made from upcycled rice hulls, as a sustainable replacement for wood in home siding, decking, trim, furniture and millwork. Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024 Reduce longs, trim, sell calls — do something, before — as the expression goes — someone does it for you. Carter Braxton Worth, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Sturdy but comfortable, this 1901 shirt is trim-tailored and comes in two colors, Grey Magnet Oxford and Blue White Bengal Stripe. Alicia Kortendick, al, 15 Apr. 2020 Eliminating the resources that are underutilized, making the budget as trim as possible. Alec Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2018
Noun
It’s finished with ribbed trim at the neckline, cuffs, and hem, and it’s given a little extra pizzazz with a chest patch pocket. Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Chevy increased visual differentiation among the three trim levels — LT, RS and Activ. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for trim 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trim.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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 entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1521, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Adjective

circa 1521, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1529, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1593, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of trim was circa 1521

Dictionary Entries Near trim

Cite this Entry

“Trim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trim. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

trim

1 of 4 verb
trimmed; trimming
1
: to decorate with ribbons, lace, or ornaments : adorn
trim a Christmas tree
a jacket trimmed with leather
2
: to defeat in a game or contest
3
a
: to make trim and neat especially by cutting or clipping
trim the bushes
trimmed her hair
b
: to free of excess or unnecessary matter by or as if by cutting
trim a steak
trim a budget
4
: to cause (as a ship) to take the right position in the water by balancing the load carried
5
: to adjust (as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal movement or for motion upward or downward
6
: to adjust (as a sail) to a desired position
trimmer noun

trim

2 of 4 adjective
trimmer; trimmest
1
: ready for service or use
2
: slim and physically fit
keeps trim by jogging
3
: neat, orderly, and compact in line or structure
a trim house
trimly adverb
trimness noun

trim

3 of 4 adverb
: in a trim manner : trimly

trim

4 of 4 noun
1
: good or healthy condition : fitness
2
a
: material used for ornament or trimming
b
: the woodwork in the finish of a building especially around doors and windows
3
a
: the position of a ship or boat especially with reference to the horizontal
b
: the relation between the plane of a sail and the direction of the ship
c
: the position of an airplane at which it will continue in level flight with no adjustments to the controls
4
: something that is trimmed off or cut out
5
: a haircut that neatens a previous haircut

Geographical Definition

Trim

geographical name

town in eastern Ireland area population 8268

Note: Trim is the capital of County Meath.

More from Merriam-Webster on trim

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