trimmer

noun

trim·​mer ˈtri-mər 

1

a(1)

: one that trims articles

(2)

: one that stows coal or freight on a ship so as to distribute the weight properly

b

: an instrument or machine with which trimming is done

c

: a circuit element (such as a capacitor) used to tune a circuit to a desired frequency

2

: a beam that receives the end of a header in floor framing

3

: a person who modifies a policy, position, or opinion especially out of expediency

Synonyms

• acrobat
• chameleon
• chancer [British]
• opportunist
• temporizer
• timeserver
• weathercock

Examples of trimmer in a Sentence

gradually fading in the primaries, the former front-runner watched helplessly as the trimmers rushed to embrace the party's newest rising star

last year's winner of the tournament unexpectedly got trimmed in the first round, and the trimmer was a young player that no one had ever heard of

Recent Examples on the Web

Dads need not pack extra shaving tools on their next trip because Double Header Electric Trimmer are a multi-purpose trimmer for both beard and body hair. —Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

How to prep skin before using a bikini trimmer Who should use a bikini trimmer? Is an electric bikini trimmer better than shaving? —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 25 May 2025

This durable trimmer is efficient and relatively quiet compared to other models. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Worx Cordless String Trimmer Keep your yard looking pristine with this lightweight edger and weed trimmer, which makes lawn maintenance a breeze. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 24 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing trimmer

• string trimmer

Rhymes for trimmer

• brimmer
• dimmer
• glimmer
• grimmer
• nimmer
• rimmer
• shimmer
• simmer
• skimmer
• slimmer
• swimmer
• timmer