lean

To rest your body or an object against something for support.

• Lean against the wall.
• She leaned her bicycle against the fence.
• He was leaning on his walking stick.

How to use it: lean against something (He leaned against the wall while waiting.); lean something against something (She leaned the ladder against the tree.); lean on something (I leaned on the railing to rest.)

Similar words: rest, prop

Common phrases: lean against something, lean on something, lean a ladder

To move your body forward, backward, or sideways from a straight position.

• Lean forward a little.
• He leaned back in his chair.
• She leaned sideways to see past the tall man.

How to use it: lean toward someone/something (She leaned toward me to hear better.)

Similar words: bend, tilt

Opposites: straighten

Common phrases: lean forward, lean back, lean to one side, lean at an angle

To extend your upper body outward, especially through a window or over an edge.

• Do not lean out.
• He leaned out of the window to call us.
• She leaned over the edge to look down.

How to use it: lean out of something (She leaned out of the window to wave.); lean over something (He leaned over the balcony railing.)

Similar words: hang out

Common phrases: lean out, lean over something, lean out of something

Containing little or no fat, especially when describing meat.

• Choose lean meat for this dish.
• She bought lean beef for the burgers.
• These cuts are leaner than the ones we usually buy.

Similar words: low-fat

Opposites: fatty

Common phrases: lean meat, lean beef, lean cuts

Having a slim body with very little fat.

• He is tall and lean.
• Regular exercise kept her body lean.
• The lean young runner reached the finish first.

Similar words: slim, slender

Opposites: fat

Common phrases: lean body, lean athlete, lean and fit, lean build

Containing only a small amount of a useful or wanted substance.

• This deposit contains lean ore.
• The engine was running on a lean fuel mixture.
• Processing such lean ore costs more than the metal is worth.

Similar words: poor, low-grade

Opposites: rich

Common phrases: lean ore, lean mixture, lean fuel mixture

A position at an angle rather than straight up.

• The pole has a slight lean.
• We measured the tower's lean yesterday.
• The tree's lean became more noticeable after the storm.

How to use it: a lean toward something (The tree has a lean toward the house.)

Similar words: tilt, inclination

Common phrases: a slight lean, a noticeable lean, lean to one side