Trim Meaning
/tɹɪm/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.
verbTo decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
Sentence Examples
Trim the fat off the meat.
Do you want a trim?
I thought I told you to trim your beard.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The gardener used sharp shears to ____ the overgrown hedges in the garden.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He decided to ____ the edges of the lawn to make the entire garden look much more neat and well-maintained today.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"A rotten building newly trimmed over."
— 1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC:
"I was trimmed in Madam Julia's gown."
— 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]:
"Seats are trimmed in a grey and blue moquette and tables are finished with grey Vyanide tops, gilt edging and ebony legs."
— 1961 February, “New "Mini-Buffets" from Wolverton”, in Trains Illustrated, page 79:
"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."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"The captain made us trim the boat, and we got her to lie a little more evenly."
— 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The gardener used sharp shears to ____ the overgrown hedges in the garden.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He decided to ____ the edges of the lawn to make the entire garden look much more neat and well-maintained today.