lean

"Lean" is a very useful English word with several common meanings. It can describe a body shape, a physical action, a quality of meat, and even a way of thinking or managing things. Here are the most important senses you'll encounter.

1verbtilt or rest against something

When you lean, you move your body away from a straight, upright position — either to one side, forward, or backward. You can also lean *against* something, meaning you rest your weight on it for support. Think of leaning against a wall when you're tired.

everyday language · Modern, widely used

She leaned against the door and waited for him to answer.

He leaned forward to hear what she was saying.

Don't lean out of the window — it's dangerous!

2verbfigurativetend toward / prefer

When you lean toward an idea, opinion, or choice, it means you are starting to prefer it or you naturally agree with it — but you haven't fully decided yet. It's like your mind is tilting in that direction.

everyday language, politics, decision-making · Modern, widely used · figurative

I'm leaning toward taking the job in Paris, but I haven't decided yet.

She leans toward a more traditional approach in her teaching.

Which candidate do you lean toward in this election?

3adjectivethin and fit (body)

When you describe a person or animal as lean, you mean they have very little body fat and look slim and strong. It's a positive word — it suggests a healthy, athletic kind of thinness, not an unhealthy one.

everyday language, health, sports · Modern, widely used

Years of running had given him a lean, athletic build.

The lean cheetah sprinted across the open plain.

She looked lean and strong after months of training.

4adjectivelow in fat (meat)

When talking about food — especially meat — lean means it contains very little fat. If a recipe asks for lean beef, it wants the kind with less fat in it.

food, cooking, health · Modern, widely used

The doctor advised him to eat lean meat like chicken or turkey.

This recipe works best with lean ground beef.

Lean cuts of pork are a healthier option.

5adjectivefigurativedifficult / producing little (times or results)

A lean period or lean year is a time when there is not enough of something — usually money, food, or success. Imagine a harvest that produced very little: that would be a lean harvest.

business, economics, everyday language · Modern, widely used · figurative

The company survived several lean years before becoming profitable.

It was a lean season for the farmers due to the drought.

After the recession, many families went through lean times.

6adjectivefigurativeefficient, with no waste (business/management)

In business, a lean company or lean process is one that is designed to avoid waste — of time, money, or resources. The idea is to do more with less. You'll often hear phrases like 'lean management' or 'lean production' in business contexts.

business, management, manufacturing · Modern, widely used · figurative

The startup adopted a lean approach to keep costs low.

Lean manufacturing helped the factory reduce waste significantly.

Their lean team of five people managed the entire project.