lean

verb \ ˈlēn \

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: lean in a Sentence

Definition of lean

leaned play \ˈlēnd, chiefly British ˈlent\; leaning play \ˈlē-niŋ\

intransitive verb

1 a : to incline, deviate, or bend from a vertical position

He leaned back in his chair.

b : to cast one's weight to one side for support

lean on me as we walk.

2 : to rely for support or inspiration

preferred not to lean on his father in building a career
—Current Biography

3 : to incline in opinion, taste, or desire

leaning toward a career in chemistry

transitive verb

: to cause to lean : incline

The boy leaned his head on his mother's shoulder.

— lean on

: to apply pressure to

They were leaning on the governor to pass the law.

Origin and Etymology of lean

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

lean

noun

Definition of lean

: the act or an instance of leaning : inclination

Origin and Etymology of lean

see ¹lean

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1776

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

lean

adjective

Definition of lean

1 a : lacking or deficient in flesh

b : containing little or no fat

lean meat

2 : lacking richness, sufficiency, or productiveness

lean profits

the lean years

3 : deficient in an essential or important quality or ingredient: such as

a of ore : containing little valuable mineral

b : low in combustible component —used especially of fuel mixtures

4 : characterized by economy (as of style, expression, or operation)

—

leanly

adverb

—

leanness

play \ˈlēn-nəs\ noun

See lean defined for English-language learners

Examples of lean in a Sentence

She has a lean, athletic body.
all of the marathoners are extremely lean

Origin and Etymology of lean

Middle English lene, from Old English hlǣne

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

lean Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of lean

lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned, scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

- a lean racehorse

spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

- the gymnast's spare figure

lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

- the lank legs of the heron

lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

- a lanky youth, all arms and legs

gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

- a prisoner's gaunt face

rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

- a rawboned farmer

scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

- a scrawny chicken
- skinny street urchins

lean

verb

Definition of lean

leaned; leaning; leans

transitive verb

: to make lean

First Known Use of lean

before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

lean

noun

Definition of lean

: the part of meat that consists principally of lean muscle

First Known Use of lean

15th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Lean

biographical name \ ˈlēn \

Definition of Lean

Sir David 1908–1991 British film director

LEAN Defined for English Language Learners

lean

adjective

Definition of lean for English Language Learners

: not having much fat on the body : physically thin, strong, and healthy
: containing little or no fat
: not having or producing much money, food, etc.

LEAN Defined for Kids

lean

verb \ ˈlēn \

Definition of lean for Students

leaned; leaning

1 : to bend or tilt from an upright position

Lean the ladder against the wall.

I leaned forward.

2 : to bend and rest on

You can lean on me.

3 : depend 1 She leans on her friends for help.

4 : to tend or move toward in opinion, taste, or desire

She leans towards city life.

lean

adjective

Definition of lean for Students

leaner; leanest

1 : having too little flesh : skinny

lean cattle

2 : having little body fat

a lean athlete

3 : containing very little fat

lean meat

4 : not large or plentiful

a lean harvest

—

leanness

noun

Synonym Discussion of lean

lean, thin, skinny mean not having a great amount of flesh. lean is used of a lack of unnecessary flesh and may also be used for the tough, muscular frame of an athlete.