Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Neat, orderly, and smart in appearance: Describes something that is well-kept, tidy, and pleasingly sleek or compact in form.
   • In good physical condition; slim and fit: Describes a person or animal that is slender and physically fit due to exercise or diet.

2. Noun:

   • A state of good order or readiness: The condition or state of being properly prepared, arranged, or in good shape.
   • Decoration or ornamentation: Material used for decorating or embellishing something, especially the edges of clothing or objects.
   • The act of cutting something to make it neat: The process of cutting away small amounts to make something the desired size or shape.

3. Verb:

   • To make neat or tidy by cutting: To cut away the unwanted or irregular parts of something (like hair, hedges, or wood) to improve its shape or appearance.
   • To decorate or adorn: To add decorative elements to something.
   • To reduce or cut down: To reduce the amount, size, or cost of something.
   • To adjust for balance: To adjust the balance or position of something, such as a ship's sails or an aircraft's controls, for optimal performance.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She keeps a trim garden with neatly clipped hedges.
  • After months of training, he was in trim physical condition.

• Noun:

  • The mechanic put the engine in perfect trim.
  • The dress had a lace trim around the collar.
  • My hair needs a trim.

• Verb:

  • I need to trim the rose bushes this weekend.
  • She trimmed the Christmas tree with lights and ornaments.
  • The company had to trim its budget by 10%.
  • The pilot trimmed the aircraft's controls for a smoother flight.

Advanced Usage

• "In (good) trim": In good condition or shape; ready.
  • The athlete was in excellent trim for the competition.
• "Trim one's sails": To adapt one's plans or behavior to suit new conditions (often used figuratively).
  • Facing economic headwinds, the business had to trim its sails.

Variants and Related Words

• Trimming (n): 1. The action of cutting something to make it neat. 2. Ornamental additions. ()
• Trimmer (n): A person or tool that trims. ()
• Trimly (adv): In a trim manner; neatly. ()

Synonyms

• Adjective: Neat, tidy, sleek, smart, spruce, fit, slender.
• Noun: Decoration, edging, ornamentation, condition, shape.
• Verb: Cut, prune, clip, pare, reduce, decorate, adorn, balance.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Trim away/off: To remove by cutting.
  • You should trim off the fat from the meat before cooking.
• Trim down: 1. To reduce in size or amount. 2. To become slimmer.
  • He trimmed down the report to just two pages. She trimmed down by exercising regularly.

Related Idioms

• Trim and taut: In excellent, tight, and efficient condition.
  • After the renovation, the old boat was trim and taut again.
• Trim the fat: To remove unnecessary parts or reduce costs, especially in business.
  • The new manager's first job was to trim the fat from the department's budget.

Adjective

1. severely simple in line or design
   • a neat tailored suit
   • tailored curtains
2. neat and smart in appearance
   • a clean-cut and well-bred young man
   • the trig corporal in his jaunty cap
   • a trim beard
3. of places; characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder
   • even the barn was shipshape
   • a trim little sailboat
4. thin and fit
   • the spare figure of a marathon runner
   • a body kept trim by exercise

Noun

1. cutting down to the desired size or shape
2. attitude of an aircraft in flight when allowed to take its own orientation
3. a decoration or adornment on a garment
   • the trimming on a hat
   • the trim on a shirt
4. a state of arrangement or appearance
   • in good trim

Verb

1. adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used
2. cut closely
   • trim my beard
3. cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
   • dress the plants in the garden
4. decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods
5. be in equilibrium during a flight
   • The airplane trimmed
6. balance in flight by regulating the control surfaces
   • trim an airplane
7. cut down on; make a reduction in
   • reduce your daily fat intake
   • The employer wants to cut back health benefits
8. decorate, as with ornaments
   • trim the christmas tree
   • trim a shop window
9. remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
   • pare one's fingernails
   • trim the photograph
   • trim lumber