rim

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/rɪm/
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The outer edge or border of something, especially a wheel.
Practice using rim in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • We rimmed the garden pond with smooth stones.
  • A thin line of paint highlighted the rim of the photograph.
  • The ball rims the hoop and rolls away.
  • They rim the new bike wheels for extra strength.
  • He rims the tray with a polished metal edge.

Similar words

edge
ricochet
decorate
border
surround
trim
encrust
deflect
flavor
glance

Meanings

Outer edge of an object

noun
physical
neutral
The outer edge or border of something, especially when it is curved or circular, such as the rim of a glass or a wheel.

Examples

  • The rim of the glass cracked after the fall.
  • Dust collected on the rim of the old wheel.
  • She traced the rim of the plate with her finger.
  • A thin line of paint highlighted the rim of the photograph.
  • Kids often sit on the rim of the pool to dip their toes.
  • The photographer focused on the rim of the moon.

Similar words

edge
border
brim
margin
lip
perimeter
circumference

Add a rim

verb
technical
neutral
To form or put a rim around something, creating a border or edge.

Examples

  • He rims the tray with a polished metal edge.
  • The carpenter rimmed the wooden box to protect its sides.
  • They rim the new bike wheels for extra strength.
  • She rimmed the cake pan with a strip of parchment.
  • The designer rims the picture frame with gold leaf.
  • We rimmed the garden pond with smooth stones.

Similar words

border
edge
frame
encircle
outline
trim
surround

Coat the rim

verb
culinary
neutral
To apply a coating or garnish to the rim of an item, for example rimming a cocktail glass with salt.

Examples

  • She rims the margarita glass with salt.
  • The bartender rimed the cocktail with sugar crystals.
  • He rims the dessert plate with chocolate drizzle.
  • They rimmed the shot glass with a citrus zest.
  • The chef rims the soup bowl with a drizzle of oil.
  • I rim the tequila shot with a pinch of chili powder.

Similar words

garnish
decorate
encrust
coat
season
flavor
rim

Bounce off a basketball rim

verb
sport
neutral
In basketball, to roll around or bounce off the rim of the hoop without the ball going in.

Examples

  • The ball rims the hoop and rolls away.
  • His shot rimed the rim and missed the net.
  • She watched as the basketball rims the metal ring.
  • The player’s layup rimed the rim and bounced out.
  • A fast break ended with the ball riming the rim.
  • The missed dunk rimed the rim and clanged loudly.

Similar words

bounce
ricochet
rebound
deflect
hit
strike
glance

Etymology

From Middle English rime, from Old English rima ‘edge, border’, related to Old Norse rimi ‘ridge’, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *rem- ‘to support, rest’.

FAQ

What does rim mean?

It is the outer edge or border of something, especially a wheel.

What does rim mean as a noun?

It is the outer edge of a curved or circular object, such as the rim of a glass or a wheel.

What is the past form of rim?

The past form is rimmed.

What is the plural of rim?

The plural is rims.

What does it mean to rim a cocktail glass?

It means to coat the rim with salt or another garnish.

Where does the word rim come from?

It comes from Middle English rime, from Old English rima ‘edge, border’, related to Old Norse rimi and ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *rem- ‘to support, rest’.

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