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Trim vs Finish - What's the difference?

trim | finish |

As verbs the difference between trim and finish

is that 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 while finish is (label) to complete (something).

As nouns the difference between trim and finish

is that trim is (uncountable) decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders while finish is an end: the end of anything.

As an adjective trim

is physically fit.

As an adverb trim

is (nautical) in good order, properly managed or maintained.

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

    * ----

    finish

    English

    Noun

    (es)
  • an end: the end of anything
  • a protective coating given to wood or metal and other surfaces
  • the result of any process changing the physical or chemical properties of cloth
  • (label) a shot on goal, especially one that ends in a goal
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=September 2 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Bulgaria 0-3 England , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The Italian opted for Bolton's Cahill alongside captain John Terry - and his decision was rewarded with a goal after only 13 minutes. Bulgaria gave a hint of defensive frailties to come when they failed to clear Young's corner, and when Gareth Barry found Cahill in the box he applied the finish past Nikolay Mihaylov.}}

    Verb

  • (label) to complete (something)
  • (label) to apply a treatment to (a surface or similar)
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=10 , passage=Mr. Cooke had had a sloop?yacht built at Far Harbor, the completion of which had been delayed, and which was but just delivered. […] The Maria had a cabin, which was finished in hard wood and yellow plush, and accommodations for keeping things cold.}}
  • (label) to change an animal's food supply in the months before it is due for slaughter, with the intention of fattening the animal
  • (label) to come to an end
  • Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (the (-ing) form). See

    Derived terms

    * nice guys finish last

    Antonyms

    * (to complete) initiate, begin, start