trim Meaning & Definition
What Does Trim Mean?
As a verb, trim means To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess. It can also mean To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree. As a noun, it means Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders. As an adjective, it means Physically fit.
Word Facts for Trim
| Part of speech | verb, noun, adjective, adverb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈtɹɪm// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | plain, lean and reduce |
| Plural | trims |
| Comparative / superlative | trimmer, trimmest |
| Verb forms | trims, trimming, trimmed |
Trim Definition (Verb)
- To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.
He trimmed his beard before the interview.
- To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.
- To adjust the positions of control surfaces, sometimes using trim tabs, so as to modify or eliminate the aircraft's tendency to pitch, roll, or yaw when the cockpit controls are released.
- To modify the angle relative to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause to assume a certain position, or trim, in the water.
- To modify the angle (of the sails) relative to the wind, especially to set them at the most advantageous angle.
- To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
- To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
- To dress; to make smooth.
- To rebuke; to reprove.
- To beat or thrash.
- To cut back the wick of (a lamp) to maintain a clean, bright flame.
- To change the carbon rods of (an arc lamp).
Trim as a Noun
- Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.
Paint the house white with blue trim.
- A haircut, especially a moderate one to touch up an existing style.
I went to the hairdresser for a trim but came back nearly bald.
- Dress; gear; ornaments.
- The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.
to be in good trim
- Features optionally available on a vehicle; an established configuration of such features within a model (a trim level).
This model of car comes in three different trims.
- The state of adjustment of control surfaces such that the desired attitude can be maintained without requiring the continuous application of force to the cockpit controls.
- The mechanism(s) used to trim an aircraft in roll, pitch, and/or yaw.
- The female genitalia.
- Sexual intercourse with a woman.
- The fore-and-aft angle of the vessel to the water, with reference to the cargo and ballast; the manner in which a vessel floats on the water, whether on an even keel or down by the head or stern.
- The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
- Any of the three cut edges of book pages, trimmed with a shear after binding.
- The horizontal position of an underwater diver
Trim as an Adjective
- Physically fit.
He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.
- Slender, lean.
a trim figure
- Neat or smart in appearance.
a trim lawn
Trim as an Adverb
- In good order; properly managed or maintained.
- With sails well trimmed.
Noun
- Sexual intercourse.
Verb
- (of an aircraft) To adjust pitch using trim tabs.
- (of a vessel) To modify the angle relative to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause to assume a certain position, or trim, in the water.
- (of a vessel's sails) To modify the angle (of the sails) relative to the wind, especially to set them at the most advantageous angle.
- (of timber) To dress; to make smooth.
Synonyms of Trim
Antonyms of Trim
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Trim in a Sentence
He trimmed his beard before the interview.
The hedge needs to be trimmed.
Place the screen material in the frame, secure it in place, and trim the edges.
The company trimmed jobs for the second time this year.
A ranch steak is usually trimmed of all excess fat.
They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.
Paint the house white with blue trim.
I went to the hairdresser for a trim but came back nearly bald.
to be in good trim
This model of car comes in three different trims.
If you want air conditioning, you'll need to move up to the next trim level.
He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.
a trim figure
a trim lawn
The car comes in three different trims.
Word Forms & Grammar
trim (third-person singular simple present trims, present participle trimming, simple past and past participle trimmed)
trim (countable and uncountable, plural trims)
trim (comparative trimmer, superlative trimmest)
trim (not comparable)
Words That Rhyme With Trim
Origin of Trim
From Middle English trimen, trymen, trümen, from Old English trymman (“to make firm; strengthen”), from Proto-West Germanic *trummjan, from Proto-Germanic *trumjaną (“to make fast; strengthen”), from Proto-Germanic *trumaz (“firm; strong; sound”).
How Do You Say Trim?
Trim is pronounced //ˈtɹɪm// and has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Trim
Is trim a verb or a noun?
Trim is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun, an adjective and an adverb.
What is another word for trim?
Close synonyms of trim are plain, lean and reduce. See the full list of trim synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of trim?
The plural of trim is trims.
What is the past tense of trim?
The past tense of trim is trimmed. The present participle is trimming.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of trim?
The comparative form is trimmer and the superlative form is trimmest.