trim

present singular third person trims · participle present trimming · participle past trimmed · past trimmed

1. transitiveTo reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.

   The hedge needs to be trimmed.

   4 more examples

   He trimmed his beard before the interview.

   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.

2. transitiveTo decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.

   They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.

   4 more examples

   A rotten building newly trimmed over.

   1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC

   I was trimmed in Madam Julia's gown.

   c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]

   Seats are trimmed in a grey and blue moquette and tables are finished with grey Vyanide tops, gilt edging and ebony legs.

   1961 February, “New "Mini-Buffets" from Wolverton”, in Trains Illustrated, page 79

   The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […] The bed was the most extravagant piece. Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.

   1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC

3. transitiveaeronauticsTo 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.
4. transitivenauticalTo 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.

   The captain made us trim the boat, and we got her to lie a little more evenly.

   1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC

5. transitivenauticalTo modify the angle (of the sails) relative to the wind, especially to set them at the most advantageous angle.
6. datedTo balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
7. transitiveTo make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.

   The hermit trimmed his little fire.

   1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC

8. transitivebusinessTo dress; to make smooth.
9. datedtransitiveTo rebuke; to reprove.
10. datedtransitiveTo beat or thrash.
11. historicaltransitiveTo cut back the wick of (a lamp) to maintain a clean, bright flame.

    The lamp, or candle, which lights the binnacle, is placed in the cabin, of course the expence of one light is saved, and all the inconveniences of blowing out in a squally night, and likewise the trouble of trimming the lamp, are avoided.

    1811, The Tradesman, volume 7, page 420

12. broadlytransitiveTo change the carbon rods of (an arc lamp).

    To trim an arc lamp, first remove the old carbons and carefully and thoroughly wipe the carbon rods, holders, &c. with a clean, dry rag. […] Having cleaned the rods, next wipe out the globe and get ready the fresh carbons.

    1892, English Mechanic and World of Science, page 444

plural trims

1. uncountableDecoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.

   Paint the house white with blue trim.

2. countableA haircut, especially a moderate one to touch up an existing style.

   I went to the hairdresser for a trim but came back nearly bald.

3. countableuncountableDress; gear; ornaments.

   seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim

   1822, [Walter Scott], Peveril of the Peak. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh: […] Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC

   1 more example

   It was the Winter wilde. While the Heav’n-born-childe, All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies: Nature in aw to him Had doff't her gawdy trim, With her great Maſter ſo to ſympathize: It was no ſeaſon then for her To wanton with the Sun her luſty Paramour.

   1646 (indicated as 1645), John Milton, “On the Morning of Christs Nativity”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], →OCLC, page 2

4. countableThe manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.

   to be in good trim

   2 more examples

   The measure and whole trim of comeliness

   1614, George Chapman, Andromeda Liberata

   In addition to the numerous traction aspects of the unit's restoration, the team had to create a trim shop in the depot to re-upholster hundreds of seat components.

   2024 February 7, Philip Haigh, “Railway's fragile resilience”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 3

   1. countableespeciallyuncountableautomotiveFeatures optionally available on a vehicle; an established configuration of such features within a model (a trim level).

      Holonyms: make; model

      5 more examples

      Near-synonym: submodel

      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.

      Of the many strategic blunders [Carlos] Tavares made during his four-year reign over what was once a $93 billion conglomerate, perhaps his most egregious was the mismanagement of Jeep, Stellantis' crown jewel. He jacked up prices and increased production of Jeep's most expensive trims, without adequately investing in new products, which left gaping holes in an aging lineup and swelling inventory on dealer lots. The extent of the damage became clear in July 2024, when Stellantis reported that its net income had been cut almost in half. By September, exasperated dealers sent an open letter to Tavares accusing him of destroying the company's brands.

      2025 September 11, Gabrielle Coppola, Albertina Torsoli, “The Corporate Saga Behind Jeep's Downfall. An iconic brand mismanaged by a French-Italian-American auto conglomerate, a profit-obsessed CEO and a billionaire dynasty. And that was before Stellantis collided with Trump's trade war”, in Bloomberg Businessweek

      Now, it [Tesla Inc] has unveiled two long-awaited cheaper electric vehicles that are most definitely not the game-changers once promised. But are they enough to do the job? It depends on what that job is. […] The models — or rather, trims, since they aren’t new vehicles — unveiled Tuesday are about taking away, not adding. […] there has been a steady drumbeat of positive Tesla news since the shareholder proxy containing the compensation vote came out. This includes includes Musk buying a nominal amount of shares, pulled-forward third quarter EV sales, the first big update of the Full Self Driving software since 2024, and now these new trims — despite signaling enervation rather than innovation. It is here that Tesla's latest additions may do the job even if they don't light up the forecourt.

      2025 October 7, Liam Denning, “Musk's Cheap Teslas Are the Wrong Kind of Cheap”, in Bloomberg Opinion, retrieved 07 Oct 2025

      Synonyms: submodel

5. uncountableaeronauticsThe 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.
6. broadlyuncountableaeronauticsThe mechanism(s) used to trim an aircraft in roll, pitch, and/or yaw.
7. mildlyslanguncountablevulgarThe female genitalia.
8. broadlymildlyslanguncountablevulgarSexual intercourse with a woman.

   "Take me somewhere." His response lacked dignity, but in fairness to him I admit that I had left him little chance to be suave. He asked, "You mean, you’re going to give me some trim?"

   1969, Maya Angelou, chapter 35, in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, New York: Bantam, published 1971, pages 239–240

9. countableuncountablenauticalThe 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.
10. countableuncountablenauticalThe arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
11. countableuncountablebindingmediaAny of the three cut edges of book pages, trimmed with a shear after binding.
12. uncountabledivingThe horizontal position of an underwater diver

comparative trimmer · superlative trimmest

1. Physically fit.

   He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.

2. Slender, lean.

   a trim figure

3. Neat or smart in appearance.

   a trim lawn

   2 more examples

   […]manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it.

   1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   “A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable,[…].

   1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC

1. not comparablenauticalIn good order; properly managed or maintained.
2. not comparablenauticalWith sails well trimmed.

plural Trims

1. A surname.

plural TRIMs

1. abbreviationacronymlawAcronym of trade-related investment measure.