lean

/li:n/

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The English word "lean" can function as an adjective, noun, and verb, and it has several meanings depending on how it is used. Let's break it down in a way that's easy to understand.

As an Adjective:

1. Lean (adjective): When we describe something as "lean," we often mean it has little extra or excess. For example:
   • Meaning: Not having much fat or extra material; or not profitable.
   • Usage: You might say, "This is a lean budget," which means the budget is tight and doesn’t have a lot of extra money.
   • Example: "After the bad harvest, it was a lean year for farmers."
   • Advanced Usage: In a more technical sense, "lean" can describe resources that are minimal, like "lean manufacturing," which focuses on reducing waste.

As a Noun:

1. Lean (noun): As a noun, "lean" refers to the property of an object or surface that is not perfectly vertical or straight.
   • Meaning: A tilt or inclination.
   • Example: "The tower had a lean, making it look like it might fall over."

As a Verb:

1. Lean (verb): As a verb, "to lean" means to incline or bend towards something.
   • Meaning: To support oneself against something or to be inclined in a certain direction.
   • Usage: You might say, "She leaned against the wall," meaning she rested her weight on it.
   • Example: "He leaned over to pick up the pencil."
   • Advanced Usage: You can also say, "I tend to lean towards a vegetarian diet," meaning you prefer or are inclined to eat vegetarian food.

Different Meanings:

• Lean in Different Contexts:
  • In a fitness context, "lean" can describe a body that is muscular but not fat, e.g., "He has a lean physique."
  • In business, a "lean approach" means being efficient with resources.

Word Variants:

• Leaner (adjective): More lean; having even less fat or excess.
  • Example: "This meat is leaner than what I usually buy."
• Leanness (noun): The quality of being lean.
  • Example: "The leanness of the budget means we need to cut costs."

Synonyms:

• For "lean" as an adjective: thin, slim, spare, meager.
• For "lean" as a verb: incline, tilt, bend.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Lean on someone: This means to rely on someone for support.
  • Example: "During difficult times, it’s okay to lean on your friends for help."
• Lean towards: To have a preference for something or to be inclined to choose one option over another.
  • Example: "I lean towards the blue dress instead of the red one."

Academic

Adjective

1. not profitable or prosperous
   • a lean year
2. containing little excess
   • a lean budget
   • a skimpy allowance
3. lacking in mineral content or combustible material
   • lean ore
   • lean fuel
4. lacking excess flesh
   • you can't be too rich or too thin
   • Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look-Shakespeare

Noun

1. the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the vertical
   • the tower had a pronounced tilt
   • the ship developed a list to starboard
   • he walked with a heavy inclination to the right

Verb

1. cause to lean to the side
   • Erosion listed the old tree
2. rely on for support
   • We can lean on this man
3. have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
   • She tends to be nervous before her lectures
   • These dresses run small
   • He inclined to corpulence
4. cause to lean or incline
   • He leaned his rifle against the wall
5. to incline or bend from a vertical position
   • She leaned over the banister

Synonyms

• skimpy
• thin
• tilt
• list
• inclination
• leaning
• tend
• be given
• incline
• run
• tip
• slant
• angle