trim
/ˈtɹɪm/ verb, noun, adjective, adverb, proper noun
Forms trims trimming trimmed trimmer trimmest
- verb (transitive) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess. “He trimmed his beard before the interview.”
- verb (transitive) To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree. “They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.”
- verb (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.
- verb (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.
- verb (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.
- verb (dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
- verb (transitive) To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
- verb (transitive, carpentry, of timber) To dress; to make smooth.
- noun (uncountable) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders. “Paint the house white with blue trim.”
- noun (countable) 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.”
- noun Dress; gear; ornaments.
- noun (countable) The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition. “to be in good trim”
- noun (especially automotive) 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.”
- noun (uncountable, aviation, of an aircraft) 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.
- noun (uncountable, aviation, by extension) The mechanism(s) used to trim an aircraft in roll, pitch, and/or yaw.
- noun (uncountable, slang, mildly vulgar) The female genitalia.
- adjective Physically fit. “He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.”
- adjective Slender, lean. “a trim figure”
- adjective Neat or smart in appearance. “a trim lawn”
- adverb (nautical) In good order; properly managed or maintained.
Synonyms
submodel trimness trimming passementerie clipping pare reduce cut down cut back trim down trim back cut bring down garnish dress snip clip crop lop prune shave spare shipshape well-kept clean-cut trig tailored
Etymology
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”).
Webster’s 1913
- verb To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
- verb To dress; to decorate; to adorn; to invest; to embellish; as, to trim a hat. trim a Christmas tree.
- verb To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favor each.
- noun Dress; gear; ornaments.
Etymology [OE. trimen, trumen, AS. trymian, trymman, to prepare, dispose, make strong, fr. trum firm, strong; of uncertain origin.]
Etymology [See Trim, v. t.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “trim”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details