trimmer

1 of 2

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

trimmer

2 of 2

comparative of trim entry 2

Synonyms of trimmer

Noun

• chameleon

Examples of trimmer in a Sentence

Noun

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

Noun

Within accessories, tools and devices, the highest-revenue categories are curlers and straighteners, massage devices, skin care devices, hair dryers, and hair trimmers — accounting for $158 million of the market. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

The defensive end returned the next year trimmer and quicker, finishing the regular season with 15 1/2 sacks and a career-best 21 tackles for loss. — Matt Barrows, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Of course, there are also nods to the beloved Raimi-era chainsaw with power tools like a brush trimmer and a heavy-duty hammer drill. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Such offenders will use all different ruses to distract the victim, such as claiming to be utility workers, tree trimmers, or handymen working on neighbors' houses. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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