Ream vs. Rim — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
A "ream" is a bundle of paper (typically 500 sheets), whereas a "rim" is the edge or border of an object.
Difference Between Ream and Rim
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A "ream" is a unit of paper quantity, traditionally consisting of 500 sheets. The term can also mean to widen or make holes in something by removing material. A "rim," however, is the outer edge or boundary of an object, often circular, like the rim of a glass or wheel. Both terms share a connection to physical objects but differ significantly in meaning.
When one refers to a "ream," they might be speaking about a substantial amount of paper used for printing or writing. Alternatively, the act of reaming involves enlarging a hole or smoothing out the internal surface of a pipe. On the other hand, a "rim" is immediately related to the outer boundary and is often mentioned in contexts such as basketball (the rim of the hoop) or eyewear (the rim of glasses).
The usage of "ream" can extend into the figurative, where one might say "ream out" to describe the act of scolding someone severely. Meanwhile, the "rim" is commonly used to describe a feature that accentuates the boundary or enhances the structure, such as the rim of a car's wheel or the rim that holds a gemstone in jewelry.
In terms of physical description, a "ream" might be found in an office, stacked in the printer tray, while a "rim" is more likely observed as part of the design, enhancing the aesthetic or functional aspect of objects. "Ream" suggests a measure or an action, while "rim" denotes location or form.
While "ream" and "rim" sound phonetically similar, they occupy entirely different places in the English lexicon. One could ream a stack of paper, meaning to drill through it, creating holes. Conversely, one could decorate the rim of a cocktail glass with sugar or salt, emphasizing the lip or edge where one would sip from.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A quantity of paper; also to enlarge or make holes
The edge or border of an object
Usage
Quantitative and action-based
Descriptive and positional
In Objects
Relates to paper or hole-making process
Relates to the boundary of objects
Contextual Use
Can imply scolding in slang
Often used in sports and design
Example in a Sentence
"Please grab a ream of paper for the printer."
"The basketball hit the rim of the hoop."
Compare with Definitions
Ream
500 sheets of paper.
I bought a ream of paper for my printer.
Rim
A circular hoop used in sports.
The player scored by shooting the ball through the rim.
Ream
A quantity of paper, formerly 480 sheets, now 500 sheets or, in a printer's ream, 516 sheets.
Rim
The edge or border of an object.
The cup slipped and fell, breaking its rim.
Ream
To scold or berate someone.
The coach reamed out the player for missing practice.
Rim
The upper edge of a hollow container or natural basin.
Water flowed over the rim of the basin.
Ream
Often reams A very large amount
Reams of work to do.
Rim
The upper or outer edge of an object, especially when curved or circular.
Ream
To form, shape, taper, or enlarge (a hole or bore, for example) with a reamer or similar implement.
Rim
The upper edge of a steep slope; a cliff or brink
The rim of a canyon.
Ream
To remove (material) by this process.
Rim
The circular outer part of a wheel, furthest from the axle.
Ream
To squeeze the juice out of (fruit) with a reamer.
Rim
A circular metal structure around which a wheel tire is fitted.
Ream
Vulgar Slang To penetrate sexually.
Rim
To furnish with a rim.
Ream
Cream; also, the creamlike froth on ale or other liquor; froth or foam in general.
Rim
(Sports) To roll around the rim of (a basket or golf cup, for example) without falling in.
Ream
A bundle, package, or quantity of paper, nowadays usually containing 500 sheets.
Rim
Vulgar Slang To perform anilingus on.
Ream
An abstract large amount of something.
I can't go – I still have reams of work left.
Rim
An edge around something, especially when circular.
Ream
To cream; mantle; foam; froth.
Rim
A wheelrim.
Ream
To enlarge a hole, especially using a reamer; to bore a hole wider.
Rim
(journalism) A semicircular copydesk.
Ream
To shape or form, especially using a reamer.
Rim
A membrane.
Ream
To remove (material) by reaming.
Rim
The membrane enclosing the intestines; the peritoneum, hence loosely, the intestines; the lower part of the abdomen; belly.
Ream
To remove burrs and debris from a freshly bored hole.
Rim
(transitive) To form a rim on.
Ream
To sexually penetrate in a rough and painful way.
Rim
(transitive) To follow the contours, possibly creating a circuit.
Palm trees rim the beach.
A walking path rims the island.
Ream
(slang) To yell at or berate.
Rim
To roll around a rim.
The golf ball rimmed the cup.
The basketball rimmed in and out.
Ream
Cream; also, the cream or froth on ale.
Rim
(slang) To lick the anus of a partner as a sexual act.
Ream
A bundle, package, or quantity of paper, usually consisting of twenty quires or 480 sheets.
Rim
The border, edge, or margin of a thing, usually of something circular or curving; as, the rim of a kettle or basin.
Ream
To cream; to mantle.
A huge pewter measuring pot which, in the language of the hostess, reamed with excellent claret.
Rim
The lower part of the abdomen.
Ream
To stretch out; to draw out into thongs, threads, or filaments.
Rim
To furnish with a rim; to border.
Ream
To bevel out, as the mouth of a hole in wood or metal; in modern usage, to enlarge or dress out, as a hole, with a reamer.
Rim
The shape of a raised edge of a more or less circular object
Ream
A large quantity of written matter;
He wrote reams and reams
Rim
(basketball) the hoop from which the net is suspended;
The ball hit the rim and bounced off
Ream
A quantity of paper; 480 or 500 sheets; one ream equals 20 quires
Rim
The outer part of a wheel to which the tire is attached
Ream
Squeeze the juice out (of a fruit) with a reamer;
Ream oranges
Rim
A projection used for strength or for attaching to another object
Ream
Remove by making a hole with a reamer;
Ream paper
Rim
The top edge of a vessel
Ream
Enlarge with a reamer;
Ream a hole
Rim
Run around the rim of;
Sugar rimmed the dessert plate
Ream
To enlarge a hole.
The plumber reamed the pipe to improve the flow.
Rim
Furnish with a rim;
Rim a hat
Ream
To juice citrus fruits by extracting the juice.
She reamed an orange for fresh juice.
Rim
Roll around the rim of;
The ball rimmed the basket
Ream
A quantity of paper, sometimes varying in number.
He needed a full ream to complete the printing job.
Rim
The outer part of a wheel, holding the tire.
He bought shiny new rims for his car.
Rim
The edge of a geographical feature like a volcano.
We hiked to the rim of the volcano to see the view.
Common Curiosities
How many sheets are there in a ream?
There are traditionally 500 sheets in a ream.
Can "rim" refer to something on a car?
Yes, "rim" refers to the outer edge of a car wheel that holds the tire.
What does "rim" mean in basketball?
In basketball, the "rim" is the hoop through which the ball is shot to score points.
What is the significance of the rim in jewelry?
The rim in jewelry holds and secures gemstones or decorative elements.
What is a ream of paper used for?
A ream is used as a standard quantity for selling paper, typically for printing and writing.
Is "ream" used in any context other than paper?
Yes, "ream" can refer to the action of widening holes or scolding someone.
How does the rim affect the playing of musical instruments?
For certain instruments like drums, the rim can be used to produce a rimshot, a percussive sound.
Do all rims have a circular shape?
Most rims are circular, as they are often the edges of cylindrical objects, but not all have to be.
What is the purpose of a rim on a glass?
The rim provides structure to the glass and is where one drinks from.
Are rims important in vehicle safety?
Yes, rims help hold the tire in place and contribute to the vehicle's handling.
Can "ream" be used in cooking?
Yes, "ream" can mean to extract juice from citrus fruits.
Can "ream" also mean to criticize?
Yes, as slang, "to ream someone out" means to criticize harshly.
Does "ream" have an equivalent in digital documents?
Digital documents are not typically measured in reams since they are not physical.
Does the size of a rim matter in sports like basketball?
Yes, the official rim size is important for the standardization of the game.
Is it possible to buy less than a ream of paper?
Yes, paper can be sold in smaller packs than a ream.
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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.
