noun
Common
leaning
LEE-nihng
Leaning (noun) means a tendency to favor a particular idea, belief, or direction. Example: “He has a strong leaning towards simple, practical solutions to most problems.”
noun
1
A tendency to favor a particular idea, belief, or direction.
"He has a strong leaning towards simple, practical solutions to most problems."
"He has always had liberal leanings."
"Her artistic leanings showed early in childhood."
How to use leaning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA personal inclination or preference toward something.
Common pairings
political leanings
artistic leanings
have a leaning toward
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like leaning.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- leanings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He has a strong _____ towards simple, practical solutions to most problems.
Etymology
From lean plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for leaning
See all rhymes for leaning →Frequently asked questions
What does “leaning” mean?
The word “leaning” means a tendency to favor a particular idea, belief, or direction. In plain terms, a personal inclination or preference toward something.
How do you pronounce “leaning”?
“Leaning” is pronounced LEE-nihng (/ˈliːnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “leaning” in a sentence?
Here is “leaning” used in a sentence: “He has always had liberal leanings.”
What part of speech is “leaning”?
“Leaning” is a noun.
Is “leaning” a common word?
“Leaning” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a leaning and a preference?
A leaning is a tendency to favor a particular idea, belief, or direction, often subtle and not fully settled. A preference is a clearer, more definite choice, so a leaning suggests inclination rather than firm commitment.
What is the difference between a leaning and a bias?
Both describe a tendency to favor one side, but a leaning is usually mild and neutral in tone, while a bias implies a stronger and often unfair prejudice. Someone can have a political leaning without it amounting to a bias.
What preposition is used with 'leaning'?
'Leaning' is usually followed by 'toward' or 'towards,' as in 'a leaning toward caution.' This shows the direction in which someone's tendency or inclination points.
Is 'leanings' commonly used in the plural?
Yes. The plural 'leanings' is very common, especially when describing a person's political, religious, or ideological tendencies, as in 'her political leanings.'
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include leaning:
