Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person or device that makes something neat or of the desired size by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts: A "trimmer" is someone who trims or a tool/machine designed for trimming.
   • A worker who thins out and trims trees and shrubs: Specifically refers to a person whose job is to prune plants.
   • A capacitor with adjustable capacitance, used for making fine electrical adjustments: A technical component in electronics.
   • A joist in framing that supports the end of a header to create an opening: A structural element in construction (floor, roof, or staircase framing).

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Person/Device):
  • She is an expert hedge trimmer. (She is skilled at cutting hedges neatly.)
  • I need to buy a new string trimmer for the garden edges. (I need a new tool for cutting grass along edges.)
• Noun (Worker):
  • The tree trimmer came to prune the branches. (The worker came to cut the tree branches.)
• Noun (Electronics):
  • The engineer adjusted the trimmer to tune the circuit. (The engineer adjusted the variable capacitor.)
• Noun (Construction):
  • The carpenter installed the trimmer joist to frame the staircase opening. (The carpenter put in the supporting beam.)

Advanced Usage

• "Political trimmer": (Idiomatic, dated) A person who changes their opinions or allegiance to suit the current circumstances or to gain advantage.
  • He was accused of being a political trimmer, shifting his stance with the polls. (He was accused of being an opportunist who changes views for popularity.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trim (verb): To make neat or of the required size/form by cutting away parts.
  • Please trim the bushes.
• Trim (noun/adj): A state of neatness or good order; slim and fit.
  • The house is in good trim. / He keeps himself trim.
• Trimming (noun): The action of cutting; decorative additions.
  • The trimming of the tree took an hour. / The dress had lace trimming.

Synonyms

• Pruner: A person or tool for cutting branches.
• Cutter: A device for cutting.
• Adjuster: A device for making small adjustments (in technical contexts).
• Opportunist: A person who exploits circumstances (for the idiomatic "political trimmer").

Related Phrases

• To trim one's sails: (Idiom) To adapt one's plans or opinions to suit changed circumstances.
  • The company had to trim its sails during the economic downturn. (The company had to adapt its strategy.)

Related Idioms

• Trim the fat: To reduce costs or remove unnecessary elements.
  • The new manager's first task was to trim the fat from the budget. (The manager's task was to cut unnecessary spending.)

Noun

1. joist that receives the end of a header in floor or roof framing in order to leave an opening for a staircase or chimney etc.
2. capacitor having variable capacitance; used for making fine adjustments
3. a machine that trims timber
4. a worker who thins out and trims trees and shrubs
   • untouched by the pruner's axe