trim

20 synonyms and 3 antonyms for trim, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To cut away excess from something to neaten it.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

crop reduce dress cut spare

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

clip shear shave tailored

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

snip prune pare lop garnish trimming passementerie trimness clipping trig shipshape

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To cut away excess from something to neaten it.

“Could you trim the edges of this paper so it fits the frame?”

clip snip prune crop pare shear reduce dress cut lop garnish shave

Opposites

elongate

2. verb

To decorate, especially around the edges.

“She trimmed the hem of the curtains with a thin blue ribbon.”

Opposites

divest denude

3. noun

A minor haircut that tidies up existing length.

“Could I book a trim for Saturday morning, please?”

trimming passementerie trimness clipping

4. adj

Slim and fit in appearance.

“Despite his age, the old sailor was still trim and strong.”

trig shipshape tailored spare

How to use trim

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

trim the hedge trim level stay trim

Etymology

From Old English trymman ("to make firm, strengthen"), related to the idea of putting something in proper order.

Full origin of trim →

Frequently asked questions

What does “trim” mean?

The word “trim” means to cut away excess from something to neaten it. In plain terms, to cut neatly, to decorate an edge, or (as an adjective) slim and fit.

How do you pronounce “trim”?

“Trim” is pronounced trihm (/tɹɪm/ in IPA).

How do you use “trim” in a sentence?

Here is “trim” used in a sentence: “He trimmed the hedge before the party.”

What part of speech is “trim”?

Depending on how it is used, “trim” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “trim” come from?

The word “trim” comes from Old English. From Old English trymman ("to make firm, strengthen"), related to the idea of putting something in proper order.

Is “trim” a common word?

“Trim” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “trim” have?

“Trim” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cut away excess from something to neaten it.

What is the difference between a "trim" and a "cut" at the hairdresser?

A "trim" removes only a small amount of hair to tidy up existing length and keep the same style, while a "cut" can involve a bigger change in length or shape. Asking for a trim tells your stylist you want to maintain your current look.

What is the difference between "trim" and "prune"?

Both involve cutting plants, but "trim" usually means neatening the shape or removing overgrowth for appearance, while "prune" means cutting away dead, damaged, or excess parts to improve the plant's health and growth. Trimming is mainly cosmetic; pruning is about the plant's wellbeing.

What is the difference between "trim" and a "hem" on clothing?

"Trim" is decorative material added along an edge, such as lace, braid, or ribbon, while a "hem" is the folded and stitched edge of the fabric itself. Trim is ornamental, whereas a hem finishes off the raw edge of the cloth.

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cut reduce dress spare crop clip shave tailored shear trimming clipping denude

Nearby words

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