lean

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB2

Definition

to shift your body weight so that your head and shoulders move sideways from a straight upright position, or to place an object against a surface so that the object tilts instead of standing straight

Example

The old tower leans slightly to one side, so visitors are not allowed inside.

structural use: describing a fixed angle of a building

Paloma leaned forward to whisper something in her sister's ear.

lean + forward + to + verb

Common collocations

lean forward
lean back
lean over
lean against [sth]
lean on [sth]
lean out of [window/door]

Synonyms

tilt
suggests deliberately changing the angle of an object, not the body
incline
more formal; describes a gentler or more gradual angle
rest
focuses on putting weight on something for support rather than the direction of movement

Antonyms

straighten
to return to an upright position

Grammar Patterns

lean + forward/back/over/towards

lean + against/on [sth]

lean + object + against/on [sth]

Usage Note

Can be used both without an object (intransitive: 'lean forward') and with an object placed against a surface (transitive: 'lean the ladder against the wall'). The transitive pattern always requires a prepositional phrase — 'against', 'on', or 'upon' — after the object.

Common Mistakes

He leant at the wall.

He leant against the wall.

The correct preposition for physical support is 'against' or 'on', not 'at'.

She leaned the wall with her shoulder.

She leaned her shoulder against the wall.

When giving the body part as the object, place it before 'against'; don't use the wall as the direct object.

Phrasal verbs

lean in

phrasal verb

To actively participate or engage more fully in a situation.

Maya decided to lean in and take on the new project.

Why don't you lean in and share your ideas during the meeting?

lean into

phrasal verb

To embrace or accept a situation fully, often with determination.

Diego leaned into the challenge and worked harder than ever.

When things get tough, you should lean into the discomfort.

lean on

phrasal verb

To depend on someone for support or help.

Aiden leaned on his best friend during the difficult time.

Can I lean on you for advice about this problem?

lean to

phrasal verb

To have a tendency or preference for something.

Min leans to classical music rather than pop.

Does your opinion lean to the conservative side?

lean toward

phrasal verb

To have a slight preference for one option over another.

Sara leans toward studying medicine instead of law.

Which candidate do you lean toward in this election?

lean towards

phrasal verb

To have a slight preference for one option over another.

Brian leans towards buying the blue car.

Do you lean towards the first or second proposal?

Idioms

bend/lean over backwards (to do something)

idiom

To try very hard to help someone or be fair to them.

Sara bent over backwards to help her friend move.

Did the teacher lean over backwards to give you extra time?

1.adjectiveB1

Definition

containing very little fat, used especially to describe meat that is considered healthier to eat

Example

The recipe calls for lean minced beef rather than the regular kind.

collocation: lean + minced beef / meat

Doctors recommend choosing lean cuts of pork and removing the skin from chicken breasts.

collocation: lean cuts of [meat]

Common collocations

lean meat
lean beef
lean pork
lean cuts
lean bacon
lean turkey
lean chicken
lean minced beef

Synonyms

low-fat
broader; used for dairy, sauces, and packaged foods
trim
describes meat that has had visible fat cut off

Antonyms

fatty
containing a lot of fat

Usage Note

Used almost exclusively for meat and meat products. For other foods like dairy or oils, use 'low-fat' or 'reduced-fat' instead.

Common Mistakes

I drink lean milk.

I drink low-fat milk.

'Lean' is not used for liquids or dairy products.

2.adjectiveB2

Definition

having a thin and healthy body with very little fat, often suggesting fitness and strength rather than being simply thin

Example

Kenji has a lean, athletic build from years of competitive swimming.

collocation: lean + build / physique

The fashion model was naturally lean, not starved or unhealthy in any way.

Common collocations

lean build
lean body
lean figure
lean frame
lean muscle
lean and fit
lean and strong

Synonyms

slim
general term for thin; focuses on shape rather than fitness
slender
more elegant and delicate than 'lean'; less association with strength
trim
suggests neatness and fitness through exercise

Antonyms

overweight
having too much body weight
plump
slightly fat in a soft way

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (NO FAT): this sense describes a person's body shape, not food. 'Lean' for people carries a positive connotation of health and fitness, unlike 'skinny' which may suggest being too thin.

Common Mistakes

She is very lean' (used alone to mean very thin).

She has a lean, athletic build.

'Lean' for people is usually paired with a noun like 'build', 'figure', or 'body', not used alone in casual speech.

3.adjectiveB2

Definition

used about a stretch of months or years when money, food, or business activity is in short supply, making life or work harder than usual

Example

The Nguyen family went through a lean period after their father lost his factory job.

collocation: lean period

Most experienced farmers know that lean years can follow a good harvest.

collocation: lean years

Common collocations

lean years
lean period
lean times
lean months
lean season
lean winter

Synonyms

meager
describes the amount itself (a meager income) rather than the period; more negative in tone
scarce
describes resources as hard to find; not limited to time periods
hard
broader; describes any difficult time, not just financial scarcity

Antonyms

abundant
plentiful; having more than enough
prosperous
financially successful and thriving

Usage Note

Almost always placed before a time noun (lean years, lean months, lean period). Describes a stretch of time, not a single event — you would not say 'a lean meal' to mean a small meal.

Common Mistakes

I ate a lean breakfast today.

We went through a lean period after the business failed.

'Lean' for scarcity describes a long period, not a single occasion or meal.

The company had a lean profit this quarter.

The company had a lean quarter with very little profit.

'Lean' describes the period itself, not the profit.

4.adjectiveC1

Definition

using only the necessary number of people, amount of money, or resources so that nothing is wasted, especially when describing a company or system

Example

The company became leaner after cutting unnecessary jobs and improving its internal systems.

corporate use: describing organizational change

A lean organization wastes no money on unnecessary staff, materials, or office space.

collocation: lean organization

Common collocations

lean organization
lean company
lean structure
lean principles
lean management
lean manufacturing
leaner operations

Synonyms

streamlined
focuses on removing unnecessary steps rather than reducing costs
economical
broader; can describe any money-saving measure, not just organizational structure
efficient
wider in meaning; not limited to size or staffing

Antonyms

wasteful
using more resources than necessary
bloated
having too many staff or too much spending

Usage Note

Common in business writing and management discussions, especially 'lean manufacturing' (a production method that reduces waste). The comparative form 'leaner' is frequently used to describe ongoing improvement.

Word family

leanness
nounC1
leaning
nounB2
leaning
adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe deviation from a straight or upright position, but they differ in scope and typical use. Lean is the everyday word for moving your body or an object to a sloping position, often for comfort or support (e.g., 'lean your head on my shoulder'). Tilt is more deliberate and usually involves adjusting the angle of an object rather than the body — you tilt a camera or a screen. Incline is more formal or technical and describes a gentler, gradual angle; it is common in writing about surfaces or ramps. Rest focuses on the purpose of support rather than the direction of movement; you can rest a ladder against a wall without leaning it. Slope usually describes a fixed angle of a surface (the roof slopes) rather than a movement. In a practical context: 'Theo leaned the ladder against the tree' (movement into position) vs. 'Theo tilted the mirror to see the back of his head' (adjusting angle).

tilt ↗incline ↗rest ↗slope

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

lean forward
lean back
lean against the wall
lean out of
lean to one side
lean on a cane

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The verb 'lean' comes from Old English 'hleonian' and 'hlinian', meaning to bend or rest in a sloping position. These go back to a Proto-Germanic root '*hlīnāną', which itself traces to the Proto-Indo-European root '*ḱley-' meaning 'to lean' or 'to slope'. The adjective sense ('having little fat') appeared in Middle English around the 1200s, possibly from the idea of something that is thin or lacking fullness — like a body that 'leans' rather than stands full and round. The modern business use ('lean organization') emerged in the 1990s from the Japanese 'lean manufacturing' system developed by Toyota, which aimed to reduce waste and keep only what is necessary.

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lean

lean — verb

1. to shift your body weight so that your head and shoulders move sideways from a s

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

lean in

lean into

lean on

lean to

lean toward

lean towards

bend/lean over backwards (to do something)

lean — adjective

1. containing very little fat, used especially to describe meat that is considered

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. having a thin and healthy body with very little fat, often suggesting fitness an

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. used about a stretch of months or years when money, food, or business activity i

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

4. using only the necessary number of people, amount of money, or resources so that

Usage Note

lean — noun

1. the position or angle of something that is not standing straight up, or the move

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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