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Added 9 October 2026

trim

/ˈtɹɪm/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about trim at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A state of arrangement or appearance.
in good trim
A decoration or adornment on a garment.
the trimming on a hat
Attitude of an aircraft in flight when allowed to take its own orientation.

verb

Remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size.
pare one's fingernails
Decorate, as with ornaments.
trim the christmas tree
Cut down on; make a reduction in.
reduce your daily fat intake

adjective

Thin and fit.
the spare figure of a marathon runner
Of places; characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder.
even the barn was shipshape
Neat and smart in appearance.
a clean-cut and well-bred young man

Origin

From Middle English trimen, trymen, trümen, from Old English trymman (“to make firm; strengthen”), from Proto-West Germanic *trummjan, from Proto-Germanic *trumjaną (“to make fast; strengthen”), from Proto-Germanic *trumaz (“firm; strong; sound”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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