slim

▪ I. slim slim ² adjective

1. very small in size or amount:

• The slim increase in revenues reflected the slowing economy.

• Will the Democrats hold on to their slim majority?

2. very little chance of something happening:

• Chances are slim that such bosses will make as much money as they once earned.

• There are slim hopes of a compromise.

  [m0] ▪ II. slim slim ¹ [slɪm] verb slimmed _PTandPPX slimming _PRESPARTX [intransitive, transitive]

also slim down to reduce the size or number of something, or to become smaller in size or number:

• The multinational corporation slimmed its total assets by 3.2%.

• Many large insurers are slimming down (= employing fewer people ) .

— slimming noun [uncountable] :

• Despite success in holding down overall costs, further slimming will be needed.

* * *

Ⅰ.

slim UK US /slɪm/ adjective

► small or slight, especially in a way that makes success difficult: »

The trend was upwards, but the gains were slim.

»

The polls show Brackett leading by a slim 51% to her opponent's 49%.

»

The pizza delivery chain operates on a philosophy of slim margins and huge volume.

► a slim chance or possibility is not likely to happen or be true: »

The likelihood of selling the machinery at that price is slim.

a slim chance/possibility »

A member of the board said there was only a slim chance of the merger succeeding.

»

There is still a slim hope of the negotiations ending well for union members.

► a slim company or organization is one that has been made smaller, and often more effective, by reducing the number of employees it has: »

The result of the changes is a slimmer organization that is better able to respond to its customers.

Ⅱ.

slim UK US /slɪm/ verb [I or T] (-mm-) (also slim (sth) down)

► to reduce the number of people who work in a company or organization, often so that it operates more effectively: »

Margins are to be widened and central expenses slimmed down.

»

The government developed a public works program as one way of slimming the 12% jobless rate.

slim (down) to sth »

Having slimmed down to around 1400 staff, the company is now recruiting again.

slimming noun [U]

► »

Investors applauded the government's 10% slimming of budget spending.