1. Remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
   "trim the photograph"; "trim lumber";
   - pare
    
2. Cut closely
   "trim my beard";
   - shave
    
3. Make a reduction in, cut down on
   "trim your daily fat intake"; "trim down your daily fat intake"; "trim back your daily fat intake";
   - reduce, cut down, cut back, trim down, trim back, cut, bring down
    
4. Cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
   "trim the plants in the garden";
   - snip, clip, crop, lop, dress, prune, cut back
    
5. Decorate, as with ornaments
   "trim the christmas tree"; "trim a shop window"
    
6. Decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods
   "The chef trimmed the plate with fresh herbs";
   - garnish, dress
    
7. Adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used
   "The crew trimmed the sails to catch more wind"
    
8. Balance in flight by regulating the control surfaces
   "trim an aeroplane"
    
9. Be in equilibrium during a flight
   "The aeroplane trimmed"

1. Cutting down to the desired size or shape
   "The trim of the hedge gave the garden a more manicured appearance";
   - trimming, clipping
    
2. A decoration or adornment typically on the edge of a garment
   "the trim on a shirt";
   - trimming, passementerie
    
3. A state of arrangement or appearance
   "in good trim";
   - trimness
    
4. Attitude of an aircraft in flight when allowed to take its own orientation
   "The aeroplane's trim was perfect, requiring minimal input from the pilot"

1. Neat and smart in appearance
   "a trim beard";
   - clean-cut, trig [dialect]
    
2. Characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder
   "a trim little sailing boat";
   - shipshape, well-kept
    
3. Thin and fit
   "a body kept trim by exercise";
   - spare
    
4. Severely simple in line or design
   "Her trim suit was perfect for the business meeting";
   - tailored

Derived forms: trimmest, trimmed, trimmer, trims, trimming

See also: lean, meager [N. Amer], meagre [Brit, Cdn], plain, thin, tidy

Type of: adjust, adorn, adornment, attitude, balance, beautify, correct, cut, cutting, decorate, decrease, embellish, equilibrate, equilibrise [Brit], equilibrize, fancify, grace, lessen, minify, neatness, ornament, set, spruceness, thin out

Encyclopedia: Trim, John