First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
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
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Origin of LEAN
Middle English lenen, from Old English hleonian; akin to Old High German hlinēn to lean, Greek klinein, Latin clinare
2lean
noun
3lean
adjective
: 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.
Full 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: 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)
— lean·ly adverb
— lean·ness \ˈlēn-nəs\ noun
See lean defined for English-language learners
Origin of LEAN
Middle English lene, from Old English hlǣne
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to LEAN
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>.
4lean
verb
Definition of LEAN
transitive verb
: to make lean
First Known Use of LEAN
before 12th century
5lean
noun
Definition of LEAN
: the part of meat that consists principally of lean muscle
First Known Use of LEAN
15th century
Lean
biographical name \ˈlēn\
Definition of LEAN
Sir David 1908–1991 British film director
LEAN[1] Defined for Kids
1lean
verb \ˈlēn\
leanedlean·ing
Definition of LEAN for Kids
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.>
2lean
adjective
lean·erlean·est
Definition of LEAN for Kids
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>
— lean·ness 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. <He has the lean body of a runner.> thin can describe a person having not much flesh or fat and often having an amount less than is desirable for good health. <She's a thin and sickly child.> skinny suggests a bony, noticeably thin appearance that may indicate poor nourishment. <We found a skinny stray cat.>
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