Trim

Quick meaning: Trim is a verb meaning (transitive) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.

Meaning

(transitive) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
2. (transitive) To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
3. (transitive, carpentry, of timber) To dress; to make smooth.
4. (transitive, nautical, 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.
5. (transitive, nautical, 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.
6. (transitive, aviation, of an aircraft) 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.
7. (dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.

Example Sentences

The hedge needs to be trimmed.

I was trimmed in Madam Julia's gown.

A rotten building newly trimmed over.

He trimmed his beard before the interview.

Word Forms

• trims
• trimming
• trimmed
• trimmer
• trimmest

Synonyms for trim

Depending on context, synonyms include plain, lean, reduce, thin, crop, spare.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include cut back, reduce, thin, lean, lop, clip.

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