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

In 1996, Smith’s remains were discovered by tree trimmers, WBAL-TV reported. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025

This line could come from an out-of-shape ballplayer who arrives looking trimmer. —Tim Britton, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025

Worx Edger and Leaf Blower Set $160 $137 at Amazon Keep your yard manicured with this twofer deal, including a cordless leaf blower and weed trimmer that doubles as an edger, as well as two batteries, a charger, and trimmer spool. —Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

TikTok clued us into the power of shaving your body—mainly your she-shrubbery—using what is technically a beard trimmer, because it's designed explicitly to motor through coarse hair. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 27 Mar. 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