trimmed; trimming
1
a
: to remove by or as if by cutting
trimmed thousands from federal payrolls—
Grit
Grit
b
: to make trim and neat especially by cutting or clipping
trim the hedges
c
: to free of excess or extraneous matter by or as if by cutting
trim a budget
trim down the inventory
2
: to embellish with or as if with ribbons, lace, or ornaments
trim the Christmas tree
the coat was trimmed with fur
4
a(1)
: to cause (a ship) to assume a desirable position in the water by arrangement of ballast, cargo, or passengers
(2)
: to adjust (something, such as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal movement or for motion upward or downward
b
: to adjust (something, such as cargo or a sail) to a desired position
1
a
: to maintain neutrality between opposing parties or to favor each equally
b
: to change one's views for reasons of expediency
2
: to assume or cause a boat to assume a desired position in the water
a boat that trims badly
trimmer; trimmest
1
: exhibiting neatness, good order, or compactness of line or structure
a trim beard
trim lawns
… a trim, well-built beach house not far from a spanking new superhighway.—The Saturday Review
The Saturday Review2
: slim and physically fit
kept himself trim by biking every day
His lithe student, trim in a tennis dress, watched while holding her racquet on her shoulder.—E. L. Doctorow
E. L. Doctorow3
: ready for service or use
trimly
adverb
trimness
noun
: in a trim manner : trimly
—used chiefly in combination
the trim-cut forest vistas—W. M. Thackeray
W. M. Thackeray1
: a haircut that neatens a previous haircut
2
a
: material used for ornament or trimming
b
: the material (such as wood, stone, or vinyl) in the finish of a building especially around openings
But now, marble is back in style with a vengeance, in demand for building facades, interior trim and finishes.—David Roberts
David RobertsIn home building, carpenters build the house framework, frame the roof and interior partitions, and install doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, wood paneling, and molding and trim.—Occupational Outlook Handbook
Occupational Outlook Handbook
c
: the interior furnishings of an automobile
d
: one's clothing or appearance
3
: suitable or excellent condition
tries to keep in trim
4
a
: the position of a ship or boat especially with reference to the horizontal
also
: the difference between the draft of a ship forward and that aft
b
: the relation between the plane of a sail and the direction of the ship
c
: the buoyancy status of a submarine
d
: the attitude of a lighter-than-air craft relative to a fore-and-aft horizontal plane
e
: the attitude with respect to wind axes at which an airplane will continue in level flight with free controls
5
: something that is trimmed off or cut out
Phrases
trim one's sails
: to adjust oneself or one's actions to prevailing conditions
compromise or trim your sails to suit the political winds—Philip Johnston
Philip JohnstonExamples of trim in a Sentence
Verb
The hedges need to be trimmed.
They are looking for ways to trim the budget.
We trimmed the Christmas tree.
a pillow trimmed in lace
Adjective
She has a trim figure.
He keeps fit and trim by biking.
Noun
a skirt with lace trim
the doctor declared her to be in good trim for the race
Recent Examples on the Web
Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Shares of footwear maker Deckers Brands plunged 15% Friday after the company trimmed its sales guidance for Hoka and Ugg — the two brands driving its growth — over concerns that tariffs are leading to a slide in demand.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
This method for choosing a color scheme pairs a soft neutral for the walls, a crisp white for trim, baseboards, and ceilings, and a deeper version of the wall color for doors or window frames.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Alicia Kortendick, al, 15 Apr. 2020
Eliminating the resources that are underutilized, making the budget as trim as possible.
—Alec Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2018
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Toyota goes after the holdouts with the new 2026 model, which adds smarter electronics, standard hybrid power and a mildly adventurous GR Sport trim level.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trim
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Adams’ Exit Narrows the Field After Mayor Eric Adams dropped out of the race, much of his support appeared to transfer to Cuomo, trimming Mamdani’s lead.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
Jakub Porzycki | Nurphoto | Getty Images Shares of footwear maker Deckers Brands plunged 15% Friday after the company trimmed its sales guidance for Hoka and Ugg — the two brands driving its growth — over concerns that tariffs are leading to a slide in demand.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The recall comes six months after Tesla and the NHTSA recalled roughly 46,000 Cybertrucks that were at risk of a trim panel detaching.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
This method for choosing a color scheme pairs a soft neutral for the walls, a crisp white for trim, baseboards, and ceilings, and a deeper version of the wall color for doors or window frames.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
Adverb
Sturdy but comfortable, this 1901 shirt is trim-tailored and comes in two colors, Grey Magnet Oxford and Blue White Bengal Stripe.
—Alicia Kortendick, al, 15 Apr. 2020
Eliminating the resources that are underutilized, making the budget as trim as possible.
—Alec Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2018
Noun
This black turtleneck sweater is designed in a soft cotton and modal blend and features ribbed trim at the collar, cuffs, and hem.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Toyota goes after the holdouts with the new 2026 model, which adds smarter electronics, standard hybrid power and a mildly adventurous GR Sport trim level.
—Mark Phelan, USA Today, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trim
Cite this Entry
“Trim.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trim. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trim
1 of 4 verb
trimmed; trimming
1
: to decorate with ribbons, lace, or ornaments : adorn
trim a Christmas tree
a jacket trimmed with leather
2
: to defeat in a game or contest
3
a
: to make trim and neat especially by cutting or clipping
trim the bushes
trimmed her hair
b
: to free of excess or unnecessary matter by or as if by cutting
trim a steak
trim a budget
4
: to cause (as a ship) to take the right position in the water by balancing the load carried
5
: to adjust (as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal movement or for motion upward or downward
6
: to adjust (as a sail) to a desired position
trimmer
noun
trim
2 of 4 adjective
trimmer; trimmest
1
: ready for service or use
2
: slim and physically fit
keeps trim by jogging
3
: neat, orderly, and compact in line or structure
a trim house
trimly
adverb
trimness
noun
trim
3 of 4 adverb
: in a trim manner : trimly
trim
4 of 4 noun1
: good or healthy condition : fitness
2
a
: material used for ornament or trimming
b
: the woodwork in the finish of a building especially around doors and windows
3
a
: the position of a ship or boat especially with reference to the horizontal
b
: the relation between the plane of a sail and the direction of the ship
c
: the position of an airplane at which it will continue in level flight with no adjustments to the controls
4
: something that is trimmed off or cut out
5
: a haircut that neatens a previous haircut
Geographical Definition
Trim
geographical name
town in eastern Ireland area population 8268
Note: Trim is the capital of County Meath.
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