trimmer

noun

trim·​mer ˈtri-mər 

1

a(1)

: one that trims articles

(2)

: one that stows coal or freight on a ship so as to distribute the weight properly

b

: an instrument or machine with which trimming is done

c

: a circuit element (such as a capacitor) used to tune a circuit to a desired frequency

2

: a beam that receives the end of a header in floor framing

3

: a person who modifies a policy, position, or opinion especially out of expediency

Synonyms

• acrobat
• chameleon
• chancer [British]
• opportunist
• temporizer
• timeserver
• weathercock

Examples of trimmer in a Sentence

gradually fading in the primaries, the former front-runner watched helplessly as the trimmers rushed to embrace the party's newest rising star

last year's winner of the tournament unexpectedly got trimmed in the first round, and the trimmer was a young player that no one had ever heard of

Recent Examples on the Web

For larger grasses a power hedge trimmer or a sharp pruning saw may be needed. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2025

Gently push back with a cuticle stick or remove completely with a cuticle trimmer. —Katie McBroom, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025

Electric foil shavers and trimmer set: on sale for $55.99 Original price: $69.99 This electric foil shaver and trimmer set is a sleek-looking, stylish shaver that actually delivers. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 31 Oct. 2024

Here's how the trimmer interlace looks: What’s Missing? —PCMAG, 9 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing trimmer

• string trimmer

Rhymes for trimmer

• brimmer
• dimmer
• glimmer
• grimmer
• nimmer
• rimmer
• shimmer
• simmer
• skimmer
• slimmer
• swimmer
• timmer