lean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lean" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used when referring to a physical position of tilting or resting against something, or metaphorically to describe a minimalistic or efficient approach. Example: "She decided to lean against the wall while waiting for her friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I don't need to lean in because usually gravity takes you enough, but I'm not leaning back, and I don't put on the brakes – I'm always trying to be on the forefoot, being as nimble as possible.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Poll these same children three years from now, once they've started to gain a sense of the wider world, and you're likely to see a noticeable lean to the left.

The Guardian

"Oh I wanna dance with somebody!" Whitney Houston belts from the stereo, as I lean forward, bottom out, squatting for what feels like the hundredth time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More than 100 people sit on plastic chairs facing forwards while latecomers lean against the back wall.

The Guardian

For example, in Sierra Leone in 2011 45% (2.5 million people) were classified as food-insecure during the lean season.

The Guardian

In the flesh, however, he looks lean, stylish and relaxed, and certainly younger than his 54 years.

The Guardian

From a London Olympics studded with failure (their lightest medal haul in 20 years) to last summer's Lions tour, it has been a lean old time, and as far as the cricket was concerned, no one was expecting matters to improve for quite a while.

The Guardian - Sport

The hope is that the GIB will invest in new green projects: reducing energy consumption and waste, supporting clean energy, or backing "lean" technologies.

The Guardian

It's mainly standing room only, which is exactly how the locals like it in Granada, but the long dark wood bar is likely to have plenty of space to lean on despite the bodega's central location.

The Guardian - Travel

"Most small businesses run on lean margins, operate in a price-sensitive environment and are unable to pass costs on to consumers.

The Guardian

She's a fashion photographer by trade but also shoots portraits which, unlike Rubchinsky and Gutkina, lean towards coming-of-age girls not boys.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lean" to describe a business strategy, clarify what resources or processes are being streamlined (e.g., "a lean manufacturing process").

Common error

Avoid confusing "lean", which relates to inclining or being efficient, with "lien", a legal claim on property. For example, don't say "The bank had a lean on the property"; the correct term is "lien".

Linguistic Context

The word "lean" functions as a verb, adjective, and noun. As a verb, it describes the act of inclining or resting against something. As an adjective, it signifies slimness or efficiency. The Ludwig AI confirms its versatile usage across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "lean" is a versatile term used as a verb, adjective, and noun, signifying inclination, slimness, and efficiency. According to Ludwig, the term is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. The primary contexts include News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle, and high-authority sources such as The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times. When using "lean", it's crucial to avoid confusion with "lien" and to ensure clear subject-object relationships. Alternatives include "incline", "rest against", and "tend to", depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incline

Expresses a similar concept of bending or tilting from a vertical position, but it's more formal.

rest against

Emphasizes the act of providing support by placing weight against something.

rely on

Focuses on dependence for support or assistance, shifting the context from physical to abstract.

tend to

Indicates a habitual or likely behavior, applicable in contexts where "lean" implies a predisposition.

thin

Describes a physical characteristic of being slim, particularly regarding body type.

slim

Similar to "thin", but often implies a more positive connotation of being attractive and slender.

scrawny

Describes something or someone that is thin and bony, often implying weakness or undernourishment.

meager

Used to describe a quantity that is small or insufficient, aligning with the "lean budget" context.

skimpy

Similar to meager, suggesting a lack of abundance or generosity.

bias toward

Implies a preference or tendency towards a particular viewpoint or action, relevant in contexts of leaning towards an opinion.

FAQs

How can "lean" be used in a sentence?

"Lean" can be used as a verb, adjective, or noun. As a verb, it means to incline or rest against something. As an adjective, it describes something thin or efficient. As a noun, it refers to the act of inclining, for example "The trees had various "leans" toward gaps in the canopy".

What's the difference between "lean" and "recline"?

"Lean" implies a partial inclination or support, while "recline" suggests a more relaxed, often horizontal, position. You might "lean" against a wall briefly, but you recline on a sofa for comfort.

When is it appropriate to describe a business as "lean"?

A business is described as "lean" when it operates efficiently, minimizes waste, and streamlines processes to reduce costs and improve productivity. It often involves implementing principles like "lean manufacturing".

What does it mean to "lean towards" something?

To "lean towards" something means to incline in opinion or preference, often suggesting a tendency or predisposition. For instance, "I lean towards voting Conservative in the next election".