trim

verb

ˈtrim 

trimmed; trimming

transitive verb

1

a

: to remove by or as if by cutting

… trimmed thousands from federal payrolls …

—Grit

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

see also:

trim one's sails

Synonyms of trim

• master
• overcome
• defeat
• take
• beat
• get
• best
• worst
• conquer
• dispatch
• stop

Examples of trim in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Ferragamo interior design-darling Michele Bonan has gone for an fresh yet elegant mod-nautical look for the rooms; blue and white striped carpeting, cream headboards, curtains, and bedspreads trimmed in snappy navy, jazzy blue, and white checked chair coverings. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

If not, this will save her the awkwardness of trimming her guest list. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

While Pembroke trimmed it to a one-goal game at 5-4 off a shot by Murphy to open the final frame, that was as close as the Titans got. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 2 June 2026

The first trade involved Broadcom, followed later in the day by the Corning and Wells trim. —Jeff Marks, CNBC, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

circa 1521, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Phrases Containing trim

• in trim
• trim down
• trim one's sails
• trim size

Rhymes for trim

• brim
• clim
• dim
• grim
• gym
• him
• hymn
• im
• limb
• mim
• prim
• rim

Kids Definition

trim

1 of 4 verb

ˈtrim 

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