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to lean

to lean

590 1.5
To bend or rest at an angle against something
  • verb
  • /lin/
: inclinarse
  • All you do is lean forward and kiss, like this.
  • lean forward
  • reach and lean
  • lean back

And he stopped and he taught, and he leaned in and said none.

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Examples

  • Lainey said something to him, and David had to lean close to her to hear her speak.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Don, feet on the wall, and lean back.

  • Oh, yeah, You got to lean your head back.

  • Make sure to lean into that turn.

  • Stand up and lean against that counter.

  • I can see the Chief's broad back leaning over the edge of the bank.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • A man, still in his pajamas, leans out to get the milk and newspaper.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The figure's head and torso lean slightly forward as if confronting the spectator directly.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Please lean your bicycle against the fence while we take a break.

  • She had to lean forward to see the performance better.

Synonyms

to tip
vsto lean
167 1.8

To move something so it leans or falls to one side

focuses more on staying sloped or supported rather than overturning
to lean on
vsto lean
145 1.8

To rest against someone or something for support

is broader, meaning to be sloped or supported, not only seeking help
to tilt
vsto lean
124 2.0

To move into a sloping or leaning position

is similar but also covers resting at an angle without movement
to rest
vsto lean
116 1.0

To put something on or against something so it stays steady

adds the idea of sloping or angling rather than mere placement
to lean against
vsto lean
92 1.4

To rest your body lightly on something for support

is the more general act of being at an angle while supported
to bend
vsto lean
84 1.0

To lean forward at the waist

is the general sloping or supported action, not limited to forward motion
to lean back
vsto lean
78 2.2

Move your upper body away from sitting upright to rest more comfortably

is more general, covering any sloping or supported position in any direction
to angle
vsto lean
23 3.2

To move or turn something so it is not straight

is about tilting or resting in a sloped position rather than just positioning
to bank
vsto lean
12 6.4

To tilt a vehicle or plane to one side when turning

is the broader idea of being sloped or supported, not limited to travel
to slant
vsto lean
12 3.7

To lean or tilt in one direction

is the general idea of being sloped or supported, not only shape
to list
vsto lean
9 8.8

To tilt to one side, often describing a ship

is the general act of angling or resting, whether intentional or not
to incline
vsto lean
7 4.4

To bend your head or upper body as a sign of respect

is wider, applying to any sloping or supported position, not just gestures
to recline
vsto lean
6 2.9

To make someone lean back into a comfortable position

is more general and covers many directions and supported positions
to skew
vsto lean
3 4.8

To turn something so it sits at an angle

is about angling or resting, not necessarily making things nonparallel
to cant
vsto lean
2 8.0

To tilt something so it leans at an angle

is the broader notion of angling or resting while supported
to clin
vsto lean
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To lean or bend in one direction, often slowly under extra weight

is similar but also includes intentional or placed angling, not only weight
to cant over
vsto lean
1 8.8

To tilt to one side so it is off balance

covers tilting more generally, not only cases of imbalance

Antonyms

126 2.5

Make something straight and in the right position

Idioms

lean and mean
  • Informal
4 5.3

Working well and able to compete while using few resources

Phrasal Verbs

145 1.8

To rest against someone or something for support

To rest your body lightly on something for support

78 2.2

Move your upper body away from sitting upright to rest more comfortably

Compounds

7 6.7

A simple shelter with one sloping roof leaning against another building or standing alone

1 5.6

A small shelter with one sloping roof that leans against a building

How Tilted

to slant
12 3.7
to lean
590 1.5
to tip
167 1.8

Surface Forms

lean infinitive
leaned past
leaned past participle
leaning present participle
leans third person singular

Etymology

Lean (verb) comes from the same old English root meaning 'to bend' or 'slope'. So to lean is literally to bend, tilt, or rest at an angle.