lean

¹lean

verb \ˈlēn\

leaned\ˈlēnd, chiefly British ˈlent\lean·ing\ˈlē-niŋ\

Definition of LEAN

intransitive verb

1

a : to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position b : to cast one's weight to one side for support

2

: to rely for support or inspiration

3

: to incline in opinion, taste, or desire <leaning toward a career in chemistry>

transitive verb

: to cause to lean : incline

— lean on

: to apply pressure to

Origin of LEAN

Middle English lenen, from Old English hleonian; akin to Old High German hlinēn to lean, Greek klinein, Latin clinare

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with LEAN

bean, clean, dean, Dean, Deane, dene, e'en, gene, glean, green, jean, keen, lien, mean, mesne, mien, peen, preen, quean, queen, scene, screen, sheen, shin, sin, spean, spleen, teen, tween, wean, ween, wheen, yean