Definition of: trim

(trim) v. trimmed, trim·ming v.t.
1. To put in or restore to order; make neat by clipping, pruning, etc.
2. To remove by cutting: usually with off or away.
3. To put ornaments on; decorate.
4. In carpentry, to smooth; dress.
5. Colloq. a To chide; rebuke. b To punish or thrash; beat. c To defeat. d To cheat; victimize.
6. Naut. a To adjust (sails or yards) for sailing. b To cause (a ship) to sit well in the water by adjusting cargo, ballast, etc.
7. Aeron. To bring (an airplane) to level or balanced flight by adjusting control surfaces.
8. Obs. To furnish; equip.
—v.i.
9. Naut. a To be or remain in equilibrium: said of a ship. b To adjust sails or yards for sailing.
10. To act so as to appear to favor opposing sides in a controversy.
—noun
1. State of adjustment or preparation; fitting condition; orderly disposition: All was in good trim.
2. Condition as to general appearance; dress; style.
3. Naut. Fitness for sailing: said of a vessel in reference to disposition of ballast, masts, cargo, etc.
4. Naut. Actual or comparative degree of immersion: said of a vessel.
5. Particular character or nature; kind; stripe.
6. The moldings, etc., as about the doors of a building; also, the hardware trimmings of a house, such as hinges, window fastenings, etc.
7. Ornament; trapping; dress.
8. Material rejected or cut out, as sections from a motion–picture film.
9. In advertising, window dressing or display.
10. The interior furnishings of an automobile body.
11. Aeron. The position of an aircraft relative to balanced flight.
—adjective trim·mer, trim·mest
1. Adjusted to a nicety; being in perfect order; handsomely equipped or of stylish and smart appearance; spruce; precise; jaunty.
2. Excellently fit; nice; pretty; fine. See synonyms under NEAT¹, STAUNCH.
—adverb In a trim manner: also trim′ly. [OE trymman arrange, strengthen <trum steadfast, strong]
—trim′ness noun