lean meaning and definition

LEAN noun

Definition of lean (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"
   • synonyms: inclination, leaning, list, tilt

LEAN verb

Definition of lean (verb)

1. to incline or bend from a vertical position
   • "She leaned over the banister"
   • synonyms: angle, slant, tilt, tip
2. cause to lean or incline
   • "He leaned his rifle against the wall"
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"
   • synonyms: be given, incline, run, tend
4. rely on for support
   • "We can lean on this man"
5. cause to lean to the side
   • "Erosion listed the old tree"
   • synonyms: list

LEAN adjective

Definition of lean (adjective)

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