What does "trimmer" mean?
One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
Trimmer
adj, name, noun
adj, name, noun ·2 syllables ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
- Grammar: trimmer is listed as adj, name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adjust, adjustment component, babbitt, barber.
- Useful contrasts: disalign, enlarge, expand.
- Usage evidence: I don't think Tom would like it very much if I used his electric beard trimmer without his permission.
How to use "trimmer"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "trimmer" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "trimmer" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "trimmer" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "trimmer" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "trimmer" is acting as adj, name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adjust" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "trimmer", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
"It put me to endless expense of having roof-men, gutter-men and tree-trimmers. At last I gave the grim order, “Cut her down.”"
- 2 joist that receives the end of a header in floor or roof framing in order to leave an opening for a staircase or chimney etc. wordnet
- 3 A device used to trim.
"My new electric shaver has a beard trimmer attachment."
- 4 capacitor having variable capacitance; used for making fine adjustments wordnet
- 5 A member of the crew who trims the sails.
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 a machine that trims timber wordnet
- 7 Someone who fluctuates between opposing factions, political parties etc., according to current interest, a flip-flopper.
"Thus Halifax was a Trimmer on principle."
- 8 a worker who thins out and trims trees and shrubs wordnet
- 9 A beam into which are framed the ends of headers in floor framing, as when a hole is to be left for stairs, or to avoid bringing joists near chimneys.
- 10 A person employed to rearrange the coal in the hold of a vessel, so that it fills the vessel without forming a conical blockage. historical
"Trimmers are used to stow the coal in the vessel, and, in the case of vessels with awkwardly-situated cargo spaces, a great deal of trimming may be involved. Vessels specially constructed for coal carrying have very wide hatches, and these may be easy trimmers, that is, need only a minimum of trimmers or self trimmers which require only the final cover of coal over each hold to be levelled down by trimmers. Trimmers are employed by the shipowners and they are paid tonnage rates."
- 11 A device for storing coal in gradually increasing piles made by building up at the point of the cone or top of the prism. historical
- 12 A float bearing a baited hook and line, used in fishing for pike.
- 13 An adjustable electrical component.
- 14 One who or that which trims, or rebukes or reproves; a scold. dated
"Mr. Hazeldean wrote him such a trimmer that it could not but produce an unconciliatory reply."
- 15 A fast, high-quality delivery by the bowler, especially one that results in a dismissal of a batter by removing the bails without hitting the stumps.
Adjective
- 1 comparative form of trim: more trim comparative, form-of
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"I don't think Tom would like it very much if I used his electric beard trimmer without his permission."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "trimmer"?
Common synonyms include: adjust, adjustment component, babbitt, barber, benedict arnold, betrayer.
How do you use "trimmer" in a sentence?
I don't think Tom would like it very much if I used his electric beard trimmer without his permission.
Etymology
From trim + -er. Figurative sense of “person who changes views with prevailing opinions” from 1680s, from nautical sense of “adjust sails with the wind”.