Etymology

From Middle EnglishCategory:English terms inherited from Middle English#TRIMCategory:English terms derived from Middle English#TRIM trimen, trymen, trümenCategory:Middle English links with redundant target parameters#TRIM, from Old EnglishCategory:English terms inherited from Old English#TRIMCategory:English terms derived from Old English#TRIM trymman (“to make firm; strengthen”), from Proto-West GermanicCategory:English terms inherited from Proto-West Germanic#TRIMCategory:English terms derived from Proto-West Germanic#TRIM *trummjan, from Proto-GermanicCategory:English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic#TRIMCategory:English terms derived from Proto-Germanic#TRIM *trumjaną (“to make fast; strengthen”), from Proto-GermanicCategory:English terms derived from Proto-Germanic#TRIM *trumaz (“firm; strong; sound”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɹɪm/, [t̠ʰɹ̠̊ɪm]Category:English 1-syllable words#TRIMCategory:English terms with IPA pronunciation#TRIM

• Audio (US):

  (file)

  Category:English terms with audio pronunciation#TRIM
• Rhymes: -ɪmCategory:Rhymes:English/ɪm#TRIMCategory:Rhymes:English/ɪm/1 syllable#TRIM

Verb

trim (third-person singular simple present trims, present participle trimming, simple past and past participle trimmed)Category:English lemmas#TRIMCategory:English verbs#TRIMCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM

1. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.

   He trimmed his beard before the interview.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

   The hedge needs to be trimmed.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

   Place the screen material in the frame, secure it in place, and trim the edges.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

   The company trimmed jobs for the second time this year.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

   A ranch steak is usually trimmed of all excess fat.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

2. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM) To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.

   They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

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

     A rotten building newly trimmed over.

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

   • 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]:

     I was trimmed in Madam Julia's gown.

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

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

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

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

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

     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.

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

3. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, aviationCategory:en:Aviation#TRIM, 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.
4. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, nauticalCategory:en:Nautical#TRIM, 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.
   • 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:

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

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

5. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, nauticalCategory:en:Nautical#TRIM, 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.
7. (datedCategory:English dated terms#TRIM) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
8. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM) To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
   • 1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC:

     The hermit trimmed his little fire.

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

9. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, carpentryCategory:en:Carpentry#TRIM, of timber) To dress; to make smooth.
10. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, datedCategory:English dated terms#TRIM) To rebuke; to reprove.
11. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, datedCategory:English dated terms#TRIM) To beat or thrash.
12. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, historicalCategory:English terms with historical senses#TRIM) To cut back the wick of (a lamp) to maintain a clean, bright flame.
    • 1811, The Tradesman, volume 7, page 420:

      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.

      Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

      Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned
13. (transitiveCategory:English transitive verbs#TRIM, by extension) To change the carbon rods of (an arc lamp).
    • 1892, English Mechanic and World of Science, page 444:

      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.

      Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

      Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned

Noun

trim (countable and uncountable, plural trims)Category:English lemmas#TRIMCategory:English nouns#TRIMCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIMCategory:English countable nouns#TRIMCategory:English countable nouns#TRIMCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM

1. (uncountableCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIM) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.

   Paint the house white with blue trim.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

2. (countableCategory:English countable nouns#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.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

3. Dress; gear; ornaments.
   • 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:

     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.

     Category:English terms with quotations#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:

     seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

4. (countableCategory:English countable nouns#TRIM) The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.

   to be in good trimCategory:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

   • 1614, George Chapman, Andromeda Liberata:

     The measure and whole trim of comeliness

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

     Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned
   • 2024 February 7, Philip Haigh, “Railway's fragile resilience”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 3:

     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.

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

   2. (especially automotiveCategory:en:Automotive#TRIM) Features optionally available on a vehicle; an established configuration of such features within a model (a trim level).

      Holonyms: makeCategory:English links with manual fragments#TRIM; modelCategory:English links with manual fragments#TRIM

      Near-synonym: submodelCategory:English links with manual fragments#TRIM

      This model of car comes in three different trims.

      Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

      If you want air conditioning, you'll need to move up to the next trim level.

      Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

      • 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:

        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.

        Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

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

        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.

        Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

5. (uncountableCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIM, aviationCategory:en:Aviation#TRIM, 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.
6. (uncountableCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIM, aviationCategory:en:Aviation#TRIM, by extension) The mechanism(s) used to trim an aircraft in roll, pitch, and/or yaw.
7. (uncountableCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIM, slangCategory:English slang#TRIM, mildly vulgarCategory:English vulgarities#TRIM) The female genitalia.
8. (by extension, uncountableCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIM, slangCategory:English slang#TRIM, mildly vulgarCategory:English vulgarities#TRIM) Sexual intercourse with a woman.
   • 1969, Maya Angelou, chapter 35, in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings‎, New York: Bantam, published 1971, pages 239–240:

     "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?"

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

     Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned
9. (nauticalCategory:en:Nautical#TRIM) 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.
10. (nauticalCategory:en:Nautical#TRIM) The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
11. (printingCategory:en:Printing#TRIM, binding, publishingCategory:en:Publishing#TRIM) Any of the three cut edges of book pages, trimmed with a shear after binding.
12. (uncountableCategory:English uncountable nouns#TRIM, underwater divingCategory:en:Underwater diving#TRIM) The horizontal position of an underwater water

Adjective

trim (comparative trimmer, superlative trimmest)Category:English lemmas#TRIMCategory:English adjectives#TRIMCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM

1. Physically fit.

   He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.Category:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

2. Slender, lean.

   a trim figureCategory:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

3. Neat or smart in appearance.

   a trim lawnCategory:English terms with usage examples#TRIM

   • 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]:

     […] 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.

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

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

     “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, […].

     Category:English terms with quotations#TRIM

Adverb

trim (not comparable)Category:English lemmas#TRIMCategory:English adverbs#TRIMCategory:English uncomparable adverbs#TRIMCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM

1. (nauticalCategory:en:Nautical#TRIM) In good order; properly managed or maintained.
2. (nauticalCategory:en:Nautical#TRIM) With sails well trimmed.

Anagrams

• MIRT, RMIT

Alternative forms

• trajm — central Gheg [tɾajm] ^[1]

Etymology

From Proto-AlbanianCategory:Albanian terms inherited from Proto-Albanian#TRIMCategory:Albanian terms derived from Proto-Albanian#TRIM *trim-, most likely from Proto-Indo-EuropeanCategory:Albanian terms derived from Proto-Indo-European#TRIM *ter- (“soft, weak, young”). Cognate with Sanskrit तरुण (táruṇa, “young”)Category:Sanskrit terms with non-redundant manual transliterations#TRIM and Armenian թարմ (tʻarm, “young, fresh”).^[2] Alternatively from Proto-Indo-EuropeanCategory:Albanian terms derived from Proto-Indo-European#TRIM *trem(s)- (“to thump; to tremble”). Compare Latin tremō (“tremble”), Lithuanian tri̇̀mti (“shake, tremble”), Tocharian A tröm (“in rage, fury”) and Tocharian B tremi (“rage, fury”).^[3] According to Stuart E. Mann, it is connected to Ancient Macedonian [script needed]Category:Requests for native script for Ancient Macedonian terms#TRIM (*Tyrimmas) if not somehow derived from Ancient MacedonianCategory:Albanian terms derived from Ancient Macedonian#TRIM.^[4]

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɾim/Category:Albanian 1-syllable words#TRIMCategory:Albanian terms with IPA pronunciation#TRIM

Noun

trim m (plural trima, definite trimi, definite plural trimat)Category:Albanian lemmas#TRIMCategory:Albanian nouns#TRIMCategory:Albanian entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Albanian masculine nouns#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM^[5]

1. man, manful
2. hero
3. courageous
4. valiant, valorous
5. brave, hardy

References

Further reading

• “trim”, in FGJSH: Fjalor i gjuhës shqipe [Dictionary of the Albanian language] (in Albanian), 2006

Pronunciation

• Audio:

  (file)

  Category:Dutch terms with audio pronunciation#TRIM
• Rhymes: -ɪmCategory:Rhymes:Dutch/ɪm#TRIMCategory:Rhymes:Dutch/ɪm/1 syllable#TRIM

Verb

trimCategory:Dutch non-lemma forms#TRIMCategory:Dutch verb forms#TRIMCategory:Dutch entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM

1. inflection of trimmen:
   1. first-person singular present indicative
   2. (in case of inversion) second-person singular present indicative
   3. imperative

Numeral

trimCategory:Latvian non-lemma forms#TRIMCategory:Latvian numeral forms#TRIMCategory:Latvian entries with incorrect language header#TRIMCategory:Pages with entries#TRIMCategory:Pages with 4 entries#TRIM

1. dative/instrumental plural masculine/feminine of trīs