lean
LEEN
Lean (verb) means to bend or tilt away from an upright position, or to rest against something for support. Example: “The old fence began to lean after the storm, so we propped it up.”
verb
1
To bend or tilt away from an upright position, or to rest against something for support.
"The old fence began to lean after the storm, so we propped it up."
"She leaned against the wall to catch her breath."
"He leaned the ladder against the house."
2
To favor or tend toward a particular opinion, choice, or direction.
"Most of my friends lean towards the cheaper option when they plan a trip."
"I lean towards staying at home this weekend, but I haven't decided yet."
"The committee is leaning toward approving the proposal."
adjective
1
Having little or no fat; thin and fit.
"The chef recommended lean meat and plenty of vegetables for a lighter dinner."
"He trained hard to stay lean before the fight."
"Ask the butcher for a leaner cut of beef."
2
Having very little of something, especially money or resources; scarce.
"Times were lean after the shop lost its biggest customer."
"The family got through the lean months by growing their own vegetables."
"It was a lean year for the farm after the drought."
How to use lean
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo tilt or rest against something, to favor a side, or (as an adjective) to be thin or scarce.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with the past tense "leant/leaned" — both are accepted, but "leaned" is standard in American English.
Common pairings
lean against
lean toward
lean meat
lean times
lean manufacturing
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Word forms
- Plural
- leans
- Third person singular
- leans
- Past tense
- leaned, leant
- Comparative
- leaner
- Superlative
- leanest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old fence began to _____ after the storm, so we propped it up.
Etymology
From Old English hlinian, "to lean or recline," from an ancient Germanic root related to the English word "climate" through a shared Indo-European origin meaning "to slope."
Related words
Rhymes for lean
See all rhymes for lean →Frequently asked questions
What does “lean” mean?
The word “lean” means to bend or tilt away from an upright position, or to rest against something for support. In plain terms, to tilt or rest against something, to favor a side, or (as an adjective) to be thin or scarce.
How do you pronounce “lean”?
“Lean” is pronounced LEEN (/ˈliːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “lean” in a sentence?
Here is “lean” used in a sentence: “She leaned against the wall to catch her breath.”
What part of speech is “lean”?
Depending on how it is used, “lean” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “lean” come from?
The word “lean” comes from Old English. From Old English hlinian, "to lean or recline," from an ancient Germanic root related to the English word "climate" through a shared Indo-European origin meaning "to slope.".
Is “lean” a common word?
“Lean” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “lean” have?
“Lean” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bend or tilt away from an upright position, or to rest against something for support.
What is the difference between "lean" and "lien"?
"Lean" and "lien" can sound alike but are unrelated. "Lean" is mainly a verb meaning to tilt, rest against something, or tend toward a view, while "lien" is a legal noun meaning a right to keep property until a debt is paid.
Is the past tense of "lean" "leaned" or "leant"?
Both are correct. "Leaned" is standard in American English and common everywhere, while "leant" is a traditional British spelling; they mean exactly the same thing.
When should you use "lean toward" instead of "lean on"?
Use "lean toward" to describe favouring an opinion or choice, as in "I lean toward the cheaper option." Use "lean on" for physically resting against something for support, or figuratively for relying on someone.
What is the difference between "lean" and "incline"?
Both can describe tilting from an upright position or a tendency toward something. "Lean" is the more everyday word, while "incline" is more formal and, as a noun, also means a slope.
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