trim

1 of 4

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

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 vistas

—W. 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 winds

—Philip Johnston

Synonyms

Verb

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

Adjective

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

Noun

• condition
• estate
• fettle
• form
• health
• keeping
• kilter
• nick [British]
• order
• repair
• shape

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

Leaders are beginning to question the ROI of their software investments (all 300-plus of them), and this scrutiny will intensify as businesses look to trim expenses. —Michael Zuercher, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

To keep your Frenchie's feet healthy and comfortable, it is recommended to trim their nails every 3 to 4 weeks. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Adjective

On a Drive In cars, formaldehyde adhesives can be found in the dashboards, seat coverings, flooring materials, carpeting, door trim, window sealant and armrests. —Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 9 Dec. 2024

For 2025 the company added a new Black Edition trim, tested here, with 20-inch wheels, dark trim and welcome lighting with the Infiniti logo. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 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

The Guts singer wore a Mugler Fall Winter 1998 runway look, namely, a velvet trim hourglass mini dress with a wraparound halterneck. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Dec. 2024

Available in four trim levels—EX-L, Sport-L, Touring, and Elite—the 2025 Odyssey starts at $43,315 and ranges up to $52,275. —Kristin Shaw, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing trim

• in trim
• trim down
• trim size

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

Geographical Definition

Trim

geographical name

ˈtrim 

town in eastern Ireland area population 8268

Note: Trim is the capital of County Meath.