trim

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "trim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb meaning to cut or remove excess material or as an adjective meaning neat and tidy. Example sentence: She trimmed the edges of her paper to get a neat shape.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An annual trim with shears and feeding with lime will keep it compact.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The wooden cottages have an almost alpine feel – with a bit of Caribbean gingerbread trim – and facilities include a laundry and a pool.

The Guardian - Travel

And it is always hard to trim tax expenditures such as the mortgage interest deduction and state and local tax preferences – especially now, at a moment when the economy is still recovering from a housing-led downturn and state and local governments still face significant deficits that need to be closed.

The Guardian

Positive US economic news, and this week's signs of agreement over the country's budget, have prompted increasing speculation the Fed might trim its $85bn a month bond buying programme.

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps it's his youthful manner, the way Boyle seems to fizz with energy when he speaks, dressing like a thirtysomething – and sufficiently trim to get away with it – but the word that comes to mind when meeting him is one rarely applied to a man in middle age.

The Guardian - Film

Exxon is beginning to cut costs: the company said last month that it would trim capital spending this year by 12%, to $34bn, and the CEO expects relatively low oil prices to stick around.

The Guardian - Business

They conclude, wrongly, that this must mean there was plenty of fat to go at – and that there remains yet more to trim.

The Guardian

Broccoli, however, refused to trim the number of carriages to be used in a train chase, and insisted certain scenes be shot in Rome rather than London, despite inflated costs.

The Guardian - Film

KESWICK: The foxhounds - seldom so-called here but more often referred to simply as "t' dogs" - have been back in kennels for some weeks now from the farms where they have been "walked" during the summer and are getting in trim for a hard winter's work on the fells.

The Guardian

It's important to brush every layer with melted butter – and make sure you trim the edges, rather than folding them in, so you don't end up with wodges of dry filo around the sides.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In effect, Media Lens is saying, they trim their sails and pull their punches to accommodate their paymasters, their presence in the paper's Comment columns little more than a gesture to pluralism or dissent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "trim" in the context of finances or resources, ensure the object being trimmed is clearly defined. For instance, specify "trim the budget" rather than just "trim".

Common error

While "trim" and "cut" can be similar, "trim" often implies a slight or careful reduction, whereas "cut" can be more general. Avoid using "trim" when a drastic reduction is intended; "cut" might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The word "trim" functions as a verb, noun, and adjective. As Ludwig AI has confirmed, it is correct and usable in written English, providing flexibility in sentence construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Lifestyle

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, the word "trim" is grammatically sound and versatile, functioning as a verb, noun, and adjective. It's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Lifestyle content. As a verb, "trim" describes the act of reducing or adjusting; as a noun, it identifies decoration; and as an adjective, it indicates neatness or fitness. While often used as a synonym for "cut", "trim" typically implies a slight or careful reduction. To ensure clarity, it's best to define what's being trimmed, such as "trim the budget". Overall, "trim" is a useful word with a high frequency of use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce

Focuses on decreasing size, quantity, or intensity.

cut

Refers to the action of dividing or shortening something.

decrease

Emphasizes a reduction in number, size, or degree.

pare down

Suggests reducing something to its essential elements.

lop

Indicates cutting off branches or parts of something.

prune

Implies careful cutting to improve growth or shape.

clip

Refers to cutting something short with scissors or shears.

adorn

Focuses on decorating or embellishing something.

garnish

Implies adding decorative elements to enhance appearance.

adjust

Refers to making small changes to achieve a desired state.

FAQs

How can I use "trim" in a sentence?

You can use "trim" as a verb meaning to reduce slightly or cut, as in "trim the hedge". It can also be a noun referring to decoration, as in "blue trim on a white house", or as an adjective meaning slender, as in "a trim figure".

What are some alternative words for "trim"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reduce", "cut", "decorate", or "adjust".

When should I use "trim" versus "cut back"?

"Trim" generally implies a slight reduction or neatening, while "cut back" suggests a more substantial reduction. Use "trim" when you want to tidy up or make minor adjustments, and "cut back" when you need to significantly decrease something.

Is it correct to say "keep in trim"?

Yes, "keep in trim" is a valid expression meaning to stay in good physical condition or maintain a neat appearance. For example, "He goes jogging every day to keep in trim".