• IPA: /tɹɪm/, [t̠ʰɹ̠̊ɪm]

trim (trims, present participle trimming; past and past participle trimmed)

1. (transitive) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess. The adposition of can be used in the present perfect tense to designate the removed part.

   He trimmed his beard before the interview.

   The hedge needs to be trimmed.

   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. (present perfect example)

2. (transitive) To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
   • 1649, [John] Milton, [Eikonoklastes]  […], London: Printed by Matthew Simmons,  […], OCLC 1044608640 ↗:

     A rotten building newly trimmed over.

   • c. 1590–1591, William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act IV, scene iv]:

     I was trimmed in Madam Julia's gown.

   They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.

3. (transitive, aviation, of an aircraft) To adjust pitch using trim tabs.
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.
   • 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island

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

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. (dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
7. (transitive) To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.

   • The hermit trimmed his little fire.

8. (transitive, carpentry, of timber) To dress; to make smooth.
9. (transitive, dated) To rebuke; to reprove.
10. (transitive, dated) To beat or thrash.

• French: tailler
• German: kürzen, nachschneiden, schneiden, stutzen, zurückschneiden
• Italian: tagliare, accorciare
• Portuguese: cortar, podar, aparar
• Russian: обре́зать
• Spanish: recortar

• German: schmücken, stutzen
• Italian: decorare
• Portuguese: decorar
• Russian: наряжать

• Russian: накренить

• Italian: bordare, orientare
• Russian: перекладывать

trim

1. (uncountable) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.

   Paint the house white with blue trim.

2. (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.

3. Dress; gear; ornaments.
   • 1822, [Walter Scott], Peveril of the Peak. [...] In Four Volumes, volume (please specify ), Edinburgh: Printed for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., OCLC 2392685 ↗:

4. (countable) The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.

   The car comes in three different trims.

   to be in good trim

5. (uncountable, slang, mildly vulgar) Sexual intercourse.
   • 1969, Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, New York: Bantam, 1971, Chapter 35, pp. 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?”

6. (nautical) 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.
7. (nautical) The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.

• Italian: spuntata (capelli-barba-baffi), sforbiciata

• German: Verkleidung, Ausstattung, (especially cars) Innenausstattung

• French: assiette
• Italian: assetto (nave-aereo)

• German: Trimm, Segeltrimmung
• Italian: orientamento

trim (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

   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 4 Scene 1

     […] 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.

   • 1907, Robert William Chambers, chapter IX, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, OCLC 24962326 ↗:

     “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, […].

• German: fit
• Italian: in forma

• German: schlank

• German: gepflegt
• Russian: опря́тный

trim (not comparable)

1. (nautical) In good order; properly managed or maintained.
2. (nautical) With sails well trimmed.

1. Surname

trim (plural trims)

1. (law) Acronym of trade-related investment measure