Slim vs. Trim — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
Slim refers to a narrow, slender build, often implying a graceful figure, while trim suggests being in good shape or well-toned, with little excess fat.
Difference Between Slim and Trim
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Slim often describes someone who naturally has a thin or narrow physique, highlighting a specific body type. While, trim is more about the condition of the body, suggesting fitness and neatness without necessarily being slender.
Slim can apply to various objects, not just body types, indicating a reduced or minimalistic design, such as slim jeans or a slim phone case. Whereas, trim generally relates to neatness and tidiness, often used in context with grooming, like a trim beard or well-trimmed hedges.
In fashion, slim-fit clothing is designed to fit close to the body, emphasizing a slender form. On the other hand, describing someone as trim often compliments their healthy and fit appearance, not necessarily their clothing style.
When discussing weight, being slim can sometimes carry connotations of being underweight or having a slight build beyond what might be considered healthy. Whereas, being trim is typically viewed positively, indicating a healthy balance of muscle and fat.
The preference for being slim versus trim can vary. In some cultures, being slim is highly valued as a beauty standard. In contrast, in others, being trim, indicating physical fitness and strength, is more appreciated.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Narrow and slender, often relating to physique.
Neat, fit, with little excess fat.
Context
Can apply to both people and objects (like designs).
Usually pertains to grooming and physical fitness.
Connotation
Sometimes implies being underweight.
Generally positive, indicating good health.
Fashion
Refers to close-fitting clothes.
Not specifically linked to clothing.
Cultural View
Often idealized in terms of beauty.
Appreciated for indicating strength and fitness.
Compare with Definitions
Slim
Narrow in form or thickness.
She prefers slim notebooks for her class notes.
Trim
Neat and orderly in appearance or arrangement.
He keeps his garden trim by regularly pruning the bushes.
Slim
Slightly built or delicate.
The slim silhouette of the tower was visible against the skyline.
Trim
Decorative additions or adjustments.
The trim on her dress matched perfectly with her shoes.
Slim
Of clothing, close-fitting.
He bought a slim-fit suit for the interview.
Trim
Free from excess material or fat.
After months of working out, she was trim and energetic.
Slim
Minimal in margin or probability.
They have a slim chance of winning the championship this year.
Trim
To make neat by cutting.
She decided to trim her hair for the summer.
Slim
Meager or insufficient.
Surviving on a slim budget requires careful planning.
Trim
In good physical condition.
He stayed trim by cycling to work every day.
Slim
(of a person or their build) gracefully thin; slender
Her slim figure
The girls were tall and slim
Trim
To make neat or tidy by clipping, smoothing, or pruning
Trimmed his moustache.
Trimmed the hedges.
Slim
(of something abstract, especially a chance or margin) very small
There was just a slim chance of success
A slim majority of sixteen
Trim
To remove the excess or unwanted parts from
Trimmed the pie crust.
Trimmed the budget.
Slim
Crafty, sly, or unscrupulous.
Trim
To remove (excess or unwanted parts)
Trimmed the rotten wood.
Trimmed the fat from the budget.
Slim
Make oneself thinner, especially by dieting
If he's overweight, he should slim
Trim
To lose (weight or fat) deliberately, as by exercise or dieting.
Slim
A course or period of slimming
A sponsored slim
Trim
To decorate, especially by adding a border or contrasting element
Trim a blouse.
Slim
A term used in parts of Africa to refer to AIDS.
Trim
To arrange with display items
Trim a store window.
Slim
Small in girth or thickness in proportion to height or length; slender.
Trim
To thrash; beat.
Slim
Small in quantity or amount; meager
Slim chances of success.
Trim
To defeat soundly
Trimmed their opponents in the first game.
Slim
To become or make slim.
Trim
To cheat out of money
Trimmed him of every dollar he had.
Slim
To lose or cause to lose weight, as by dieting or exercise.
Trim
To rebuke; scold.
Slim
Slender, thin.
Trim
To adjust (the sails and yards) so that they receive the wind properly.
Slim
(of a person or a person's build) Slender in an attractive way.
Movie stars are usually slim, attractive, and young.
Trim
To balance (a ship) by shifting its cargo or contents.
Slim
Designed to make the wearer appear slim.
Trim
To balance (an aircraft) in flight by regulating the control surfaces and tabs.
Slim
(of an object) Long and narrow.
Trim
To be in or retain equilibrium.
Slim
(of a workforce) Of a reduced size, with the intent of being more efficient.
Trim
To make sails and yards ready for sailing.
Slim
(of something abstract like a chance or margin) Very small, tiny.
I'm afraid your chances are quite slim.
Trim
To affect or maintain cautious neutrality.
Slim
Bad, of questionable quality; not strongly built, flimsy.
Trim
To fashion one's views for momentary popularity or advantage.
Slim
Sly, crafty.
Trim
To lose weight deliberately. Often used with down.
Slim
A type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes.
I only smoke slims.
Trim
A cutting or clipping to make neat
My hair needs a trim.
Slim
A potato farl.
Trim
An excess or unwanted part that has been removed
Cut off the trim.
Slim
AIDS, or the chronic wasting associated with its later stages.
Trim
State of order, arrangement, or appearance; condition
In good trim.
Slim
Cocaine.
Trim
A condition of good health or fitness
Keeping her body in trim.
Slim
(intransitive) To lose weight in order to achieve slimness.
Trim
Exterior ornamentation, such as moldings or framework, on a building or vehicle.
Slim
(transitive) To make slimmer; to reduce in size.
Trim
Decoration or ornament, as for clothing.
Slim
Worthless; bad.
Trim
Material used in commercial window displays.
Slim
Weak; slight; unsubstantial; poor; as, a slim argument.
Trim
Often trims Excised or rejected material, such as film that has been cut in editing.
Slim
Of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height or length; slender; as, a slim person; a slim tree.
Trim
The readiness of a vessel for sailing with regard to ballast, sails, and yards.
Slim
Take off weight
Trim
The balance of a ship.
Slim
Being of delicate or slender build;
She was slender as a willow shoot is slender
A slim girl with straight blonde hair
Watched her slight figure cross the street
Trim
The difference between the draft at the bow and at the stern.
Slim
Small in quantity;
Slender wages
A slim chance of winning
A small surplus
Trim
The balance of rotational forces around the various axes of an aircraft in flight.
Trim
In good or neat order.
Trim
In good physical condition; fit; slim
A trim figure.
Trim
Having lines, edges, or forms of neat and pleasing simplicity.
Trim
In a trim manner.
Trim
(transitive) To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.
He trimmed his beard before the interview.
The hedge needs to be trimmed.
Place the screen material in the frame, secure it in place, and trim the edges.
The company trimmed jobs for the second time this year.
A ranch steak is usually trimmed of all excess fat.
Trim
(transitive) To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.
Trim
To adjust the positions of control surfaces, sometimes using trim tabs, so as to modify or eliminate the aircraft's tendency to pitch, roll, or yaw when the cockpit controls are released.
Trim
To modify the angle relative to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause to assume a certain position, or trim, in the water.
Trim
To modify the angle (of the sails) relative to the wind, especially to set them at the most advantageous angle.
Trim
(dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
Trim
(transitive) To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
Trim
To dress; to make smooth.
Trim
To rebuke; to reprove.
Trim
To beat or thrash.
Trim
To cut back the wick of (a lamp) to maintain a clean, bright flame.
Trim
To change the carbon rods of (an arc lamp).
Trim
(uncountable) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.
Paint the house white with blue trim.
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.
Trim
Dress; gear; ornaments.
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
Trim
The state of adjustment of control surfaces such that the desired attitude can be maintained without requiring the continuous application of force to the cockpit controls.
Trim
The mechanism(s) used to trim an aircraft in roll, pitch, and/or yaw.
Trim
(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.
Trim
(nautical) The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
Trim
Physically fit.
He goes jogging every day to keep in trim.
Trim
Slender, lean.
A trim figure
Trim
Neat or smart in appearance.
A trim lawn
Trim
(nautical) In good order; properly managed or maintained.
Trim
(nautical) With sails well trimmed.
Trim
To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
The hermit trimmed his little fire.
Trim
To dress; to decorate; to adorn; to invest; to embellish; as, to trim a hat.
A rotten building newly trimmed over.
I was trimmed in Julia's gown.
Trim
To make ready or right by cutting or shortening; to clip or lop; to curtail; as, to trim the hair; to trim a tree.
Trim
To dress, as timber; to make smooth.
Trim
To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or disposing the weight of persons or goods, so equally on each side of the center and at each end, that she shall sit well on the water and sail well; as, to trim a ship, or a boat.
Trim
To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat.
I found her trimming up the diademOn her dead mistress.
Trim
To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favor each.
Trim
Dress; gear; ornaments.
Seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim.
Trim
Order; disposition; condition; as, to be in good trim.
Trim
The state of a ship or her cargo, ballast, masts, etc., by which she is well prepared for sailing.
Trim
The lighter woodwork in the interior of a building; especially, that used around openings, generally in the form of a molded architrave, to protect the plastering at those points.
Trim
Fitly adjusted; being in good order., or made ready for service or use; firm; compact; snug; neat; fair; as, the ship is trim, or trim built; everything about the man is trim; a person is trim when his body is well shaped and firm; his dress is trim when it fits closely to his body, and appears tight and snug; a man or a soldier is trim when he stands erect.
With comely carriage of her countenance trim.
So deemed I till I viewed their trim arrayOf boats last night.
Trim
A state of arrangement or appearance;
In good trim
Trim
A decoration or adornment on a garment;
The trimming on a hat
The trim on a shirt
Trim
Attitude of an aircraft in flight when allowed to take its own orientation
Trim
Cutting down to the desired size or shape
Trim
Remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size;
Pare one's fingernails
Trim the photograph
Trim lumber
Trim
Decorate, as with ornaments;
Trim the christmas tree
Trim a shop window
Trim
Cut down on; make a reduction in;
Reduce your daily fat intake
The employer wants to cut back health benefits
Trim
Balance in flight by regulating the control surfaces;
Trim an airplane
Trim
Be in equilibrium during a flight;
The airplane trimmed
Trim
Decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods
Trim
Cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of;
Dress the plants in the garden
Trim
Cut closely;
Trim my beard
Trim
Adjust (sails on a ship) so that the wind is optimally used
Trim
Thin and fit;
The spare figure of a marathon runner
A body kept trim by exercise
Trim
(used of hair) neat and tidy;
A nicely kempt beard
Trim
Of places; characterized by order and neatness; free from disorder;
Even the barn was shipshape
A trim little sailboat
Trim
(of persons) neat and smart in appearance;
A clean-cut and well-bred young man
The trig corporal in his jaunty cap
Trim
Severely simple in line or design;
A neat tailored suit
Tailored curtains
Common Curiosities
Is it better to be slim or trim for health?
Being trim is generally healthier, as it indicates being fit and having a well-balanced body mass.
How does trim differ from slim in physical fitness?
Trim implies being in good physical shape with little excess fat, while slim simply describes a narrow build.
What is a slim-fit shirt?
A slim-fit shirt is designed to fit closer to the body and emphasizes a slender torso.
What type of maintenance does a trim lawn require?
A trim lawn requires regular mowing, edging, and sometimes fertilizing to keep it neat.
What does it mean to be slim?
Being slim means having a slender and narrow physique.
Can furniture be described as slim or trim?
Furniture can be described as slim if it has a narrow and minimalist design, but not typically as trim.
What are slim jeans?
Slim jeans are jeans that offer a tighter fit through the legs, promoting a streamlined silhouette.
Does being slim automatically mean being healthy?
Not necessarily; being slim can sometimes mean being underweight, which might not be healthy.
Is trim considered attractive?
Trim is often considered attractive as it signifies health, fitness, and vitality.
Can pets be trim?
Yes, pets can be considered trim when they are fit and not overweight.
How can one maintain a trim appearance?
Maintaining a trim appearance involves regular exercise and a balanced diet.
Can older adults be slim or trim?
Older adults can be either slim or trim, depending on their body composition and lifestyle habits.
How does being trim affect one's lifestyle?
Being trim often reflects an active lifestyle and can enhance overall well-being and energy levels.
What role does genetics play in being slim?
Genetics can significantly influence body type, often determining how naturally slim a person might be.
What are the disadvantages of being too slim?
Being too slim can lead to health issues such as nutrient deficiencies and decreased immune function.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
