What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Slim vs Trim - What's the difference?

slim | trim |

As adjectives the difference between slim and trim

is that slim is slender, thin while trim is physically fit.

As nouns the difference between slim and trim

is that slim is a type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes while trim is decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.

As verbs the difference between slim and trim

is that slim is to lose weight in order to achieve slimness while trim is 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.

As an adverb trim is

in good order, properly managed or maintained.

slim

English

Adjective

(slimmer)
  • Slender, thin.
  • # (of a person or a person's build) Slender in an attractive way.
  • Movie stars are usually slim , attractive, and young.
  • # (by extension, of clothing) Designed to make the wearer appear slim.
  • # (of an object) Long and narrow.
  • # (of a workforce) Of a reduced size, with the intent of being more efficient.
  • (of something abstract like a chance or margin) Very small, tiny.
  • I'm afraid your chances are quite slim .
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=January 15 , author=Saj Chowdhury , title=Man City 4 - 3 Wolves , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=Wolves' debatable third in the last 10 minutes, with the ball only crossing the line by the slimmest of margins if at all, ensured a cracking finale, although City would have been left aggrieved had they let the win slip. }}
  • (South Africa) Sly, crafty.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes.
  • I only smoke slims .
  • (East Africa) AIDS, or the chronic wasting associated with its later stages.
  • * {{quote-book, 2003, Charled F. Gilks, editors=David A. Warrell et al., chapter=HIV in the Developing World, Oxford Textbook of Medicine, edition=4th ed., volume=Volume 1 citation
  • , passage=As in the West, only about 50 per cent of patients with slim fully investigated will have a putative pathogen identified.}}
  • (slang, uncountable) Cocaine.
  • Alternative forms

    * (AIDS) Slim

    Verb

  • To lose weight in order to achieve slimness
  • Anagrams

    * * ----

    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

    * ----