trimmer
TRIM-er
/ˈtrɪmər/
An electric device or tool used for cutting and grooming hair, beards, or mustaches to a specific length.
A trimmer is smaller and has finer teeth than standard hair clippers, making it ideal for detailed work, edging, and maintaining short facial hair.
The story behind the word. The word trimmer comes from the verb 'trim', which originally meant 'to prepare, make ready, or put in order' in Middle English. Over time, it became associated with cutting away excess material to make something neat.
Word relationships
- clipper: Clippers are larger tools designed for cutting bulk hair on the scalp, while trimmers are smaller and designed for precise detailing and facial hair.
Commonly confused with
- razor: A razor cuts hair flush with the skin, while a trimmer cuts hair to a specific, short length above the skin.
Word family
- trim (verb): To cut off irregular or unwanted parts.
- trimming (noun): The act of cutting or neatening hair.
Collocations
- beard trimmer
- electric trimmer
- precision trimmer
- nose hair trimmer
Example sentences
- "He used his electric trimmer every three days to keep his stubble looking neat." Maintaining facial hair at home
- "The barber picked up a small trimmer to clean up the hair around the client's ears." A barber detailing a haircut
Memory hook
A 'trimmer' helps you keep your beard in 'trim' (neat and orderly) condition. Trim the excess to make it neat.
When not to use
Do not confuse with a razor (which shaves hair down to the skin) or large hair clippers (used for bulk hair removal on the head).
Fun facts
- The term 'trimmer' is also used in sailing to describe a person who adjusts the sails to keep the boat balanced, showing the word's root meaning of 'putting in order.'
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.