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Cleanly vs Trim - What's the difference?

cleanly | trim | Related terms |

Cleanly is a related term of trim.


As adjectives the difference between cleanly and trim

is that cleanly is being habitually clean, practising good hygiene while trim is physically fit.

As adverbs the difference between cleanly and trim

is that cleanly is in a clean way while trim is (nautical) in good order, properly managed or maintained.

As a verb trim is

to reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess; eg 'trim a hedge', 'trim a beard' the adposition of can be used in present perfect tense to designate the removed part.

As a noun trim is

(uncountable) decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.

cleanly

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) clenly, clenliche, clanly, from (etyl) .

Alternative forms

* (l)

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • being habitually clean, practising good hygiene
  • * 1653 , Izaak Walton, The Compleat Angler
  • I'll now lead you to an honest ale-house, where we shall find a cleanly room, lavender in the windows, and twenty ballads stuck about the wall.
  • * Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World
  • There were some flat slabs of rock in the centre, with an excellent well close by, and there we sat in cleanly comfort while we made our first plans for the invasion of this new country.
  • (obsolete) Cleansing; fitted to remove moisture; dirt, etc.
  • * Prior
  • With cleanly powder dry their hair.
  • (obsolete) adroit; dexterous; artful
  • * Spenser
  • Through his fine handling and his cleanly play.
    Derived terms
    * cleanliness * uncleanly
    Antonyms
    * uncleanly * dirty

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) clenly, clenli, clenliche, from (etyl) .

    Adverb

    (en-adv)
  • in a clean way
  • neatly
  • He was very cleanly dressed. — Dickens.
  • not causing a mess or unnecessary damage
  • We agreed to break off our relationship cleanly .
    Fortunately, the bullet passed cleanly through your shoulder.
  • innocently; without stain
  • (Shakespeare)
  • adroitly; dexterously
  • (Middleton)

    trim

    English

    (wikipedia trim)

    Verb

  • To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess; e.g. 'trim a hedge', 'trim a beard'. The adposition of can be used in present perfect tense to designate the removed part.
  • (present perfect example)
  • To decorate or adorn; especially, to decorate a Christmas tree.
  • * Milton
  • A rotten building newly trimmed over.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I was trimmed in Julia's gown.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
  • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=1 citation , passage=The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […]  The bed was the most extravagant piece.  Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.}}
  • (nautical) To modify the angle of a vessel to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause a vessel to assume, a certain position, or trim, in the water. (FM 55-501).
  • * 1883 ,
  • The captain made us trim the boat, and we got her to lie a little more evenly.
  • (nautical) To modify the angle of a vessel's sails relative to the wind, especially to set the sails to the most advantageous angle.
  • (dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
  • To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
  • * Goldsmith
  • The hermit trimmed his little fire.
  • (carpentry) To dress (timber); to make smooth.
  • (dated) To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (uncountable) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.
  • Paint the house white with blue trim .
  • (countable) A haircut, especially a moderate one to touch up an existing style.
  • I went to the hairdresser for a trim but came back nearly bald.
  • Dress; gear; ornaments.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim
  • (countable) The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.
  • The car comes in three different trims .
    to be in good trim
    (Chapman)
  • Sexual intercourse.
  • (nautical) The fore-and-aft angle of the vessel to the water, with reference to the cargo and ballast; the manner in which a vessel floats on the water, whether on an even keel or down by the head or stern.
  • (nautical) The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
  • Adjective

    (trimmer)
  • Physically fit.
  • :
  • Slender, lean.
  • :
  • Neat or smart in appearance.
  • :
  • *1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Much Ado About Nothing) ,
  • *:manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it.
  • *
  • *:“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable,.
  • Adverb

    (-)
  • (nautical) In good order, properly managed or maintained.
  • (nautical) With sails well trimmed.
  • Usage notes

    * More often used in combinations, eg, "trim-sailed".

    Anagrams

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