trim
trim
/trɪm/
To shorten or tidy up hair or nails by cutting small amounts away.
Focuses on subtle refinement and shortening edges rather than shaving off completely.
The story behind the word. In Old English, 'trymman' meant to make strong or put in good order, especially in nautical contexts where sailors trimmed sails to balance ships. Over centuries, setting a ship in order shifted to neatening human and animal hair by cutting outer edges.
Word relationships
- prune: Prune is primarily used for cutting back plant branches.
- crop: Crop means to cut very short or remove the top completely.
- grow out: To allow hair or claws to lengthen naturally without cutting.
Commonly confused with
- shave: Shave removes hair down to skin level, while trim merely reduces hair length.
Word family
- trimmer (noun): A small tool used for edging or light cutting.
- trimming (noun): The act or result of cutting small amounts off.
Collocations
- trim the fur
- claw trim
- neat trim
- trim the edges
Idioms & expressions
- trim the sails
- in trim shape
Example sentences
- "You should trim your cat's claws every few weeks to keep them from catching on indoor carpets." Pet maintenance
Memory hook
TRIM the RIM of the fur to keep it neat. Light cutting for a neat finish.
When not to use
Avoid using trim when complete hair removal or shaving down to skin is intended.
Fun facts
- In seamanship, 'trim' still describes adjusting sails to balance a ship perfectly against the wind!
Also appears in
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