What is lean? Pronunciation and usage in English

lean means . Learn how to pronounce and use lean through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of lean

leanverb

/liːn/
Definition & pronunciation of lean

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "lean" in English. There are a couple of variations, and both are pretty common!

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • Sounds like: "leen" (rhymes with "seen" or "green")
  • Breakdown:
    • "lea-": This part sounds like “lee” – like the name Lee.
    • "-n": This is a simple "n" sound.

2. A Slightly More Formal/British Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "lin" (rhymes with "tin" or "win")
  • Breakdown:
    • "lin": This is a simple "lin" sound.

Here's a helpful audio example to compare:

Key takeaway: In most everyday conversations in the US, "leen" is perfectly acceptable and the most common pronunciation.

To help me give you an even more tailored explanation, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word lean in English

Let's break down how to use the word "lean" in English. It has a surprisingly wide range of meanings and usages! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. As an Adjective (Describing Physical Appearance):

  • Meaning: Thin, slender, lacking in flesh or weight.
  • Examples:
    • "She has a lean build." (She's thin and doesn't have much muscle.)
    • "He's a lean runner, fast and efficient." (He's athletic and doesn't carry extra weight.)
    • "The horse was lean from a long journey." (The horse was thin due to lacking food.)

2. As a Verb (Meaning to Rest or Rely):

  • Meaning: To rest one’s weight on something; to rely on something for support.
  • Examples:
    • "He leaned against the wall for support."
    • "She leaned over to whisper in his ear."
    • "The child leaned on his mother for comfort."

3. As a Verb (Part of the Business/Management Term "Lean Methodology"):

  • Meaning: To reduce waste and improve efficiency in a process or system. This is very common in business, manufacturing, and software development.
  • Key Concept: "Lean" principles aim to do more with less – less waste (time, materials, effort), and less complexity.
  • Examples:
    • "The company is implementing a lean manufacturing process."
    • "We need to lean our operations to reduce costs."
    • "A lean startup focuses on building a minimum viable product."
    • “We’re striving for lean customer service – providing exactly what the customer needs, when they need it, without extra steps.”

4. As an Adjective (Describing Taste or Texture – Often Wine/Food Related):

  • Meaning: Lacking in richness; dry; sometimes slightly sour. This is a more specialized use.
  • Examples:
    • "This Cabernet Sauvignon has a slightly lean character." (It's not full-bodied or complex.)
    • "The chicken was cooked simply, leaving a lean flavor." (It wasn't heavily seasoned.)

5. As an Adjective (Describing a State of Being – Less Common):

  • Meaning: Simple, unadorned, basic. This usage is less frequent now than it used to be.
  • Example: “He told a lean story of his travels.” (He told a simple, straightforward story.)

Tips for Using "Lean" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "lean" depends heavily on the context. Pay attention to how it's used in the sentence.
  • Distinguish from "Lean": Be careful not to confuse "lean" (thin) with "lea" (as in, regarding land or agriculture – e.g., “a lean pasture”).
  • Lean Methodology: If you’re talking about business, make sure you understand the core principles of "lean" methodology.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about when you want to use "lean"? (e.g., describing someone’s physical appearance, talking about a business process, describing a wine's flavor?)

Synonyms for the word lean

Idioms of the word lean

bend/lean over backwards (to do something)
to make a great effort, especially in order to be helpful or fair
  • I've bent over backwards to help him.

Practice with vocabulary lean

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company decided to __________ on automation to streamline its production processes and reduce waste.
  2. After a long day of coding, she would often __________ back in her ergonomic chair for a few moments of reflection.
  3. The old retaining wall began to __________ noticeably towards the river after a week of heavy rainfall.
  4. To ensure the success of the complex integration project, we must __________ heavily on the expertise of our lead system architects.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following describes a physical act of leaning? a) The team decided to lean into the challenge with full commitment. b) The old clock tower began to lean to one side after years of neglect. c) He tends to lean on his colleagues for professional guidance. d) She had to lean over the railing to get a better view of the construction site.

  2. When a business aims to "run lean," it primarily focuses on: a) minimizing operational waste b) optimizing workflow processes c) relying heavily on external consulting firms d) maintaining a flexible, efficient organizational structure

  3. The word "lean" can be used to describe something or someone that is: a) lacking excessive body fat b) economical and highly efficient c) extravagant and luxurious d) inclined towards a particular viewpoint or preference

  4. Which verb best implies providing stability or support without necessarily causing a slant? a) tilt b) incline c) prop d) slope

  5. To describe someone's body type as having very little fat, but in a healthy way, you could use which of the following words? a) emaciated b) obese c) slender d) athletic

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The startup aims to operate with minimal overhead and maximum productivity. Rewrite (use "lean" or related word forms):

  2. Original: She always depends on her mentor for professional advice and encouragement. Rewrite (use "lean" or related word forms):

  3. Original: Many consumers have a tendency to prefer environmentally friendly products these days. Rewrite (do not use "lean" but use a suitable replacement word):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company decided to lean on automation to streamline its production processes and reduce waste.
  2. After a long day of coding, she would often lean back in her ergonomic chair for a few moments of reflection.
  3. The old retaining wall began to tilt noticeably towards the river after a week of heavy rainfall.
  4. To ensure the success of the complex integration project, we must rely heavily on the expertise of our lead system architects.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following describes a physical act of leaning? b) The old clock tower began to lean to one side after years of neglect. d) She had to lean over the railing to get a better view of the construction site.

  2. When a business aims to "run lean," it primarily focuses on: a) minimizing operational waste b) optimizing workflow processes d) maintaining a flexible, efficient organizational structure

  3. The word "lean" can be used to describe something or someone that is: a) lacking excessive body fat b) economical and highly efficient d) inclined towards a particular viewpoint or preference

  4. Which verb best implies providing stability or support without necessarily causing a slant? c) prop

  5. To describe someone's body type as having very little fat, but in a healthy way, you could use which of the following words? c) slender d) athletic

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The startup aims to operate with minimal overhead and maximum productivity. Rewrite: The startup aims to run lean, operating with minimal overhead and maximum productivity.

  2. Original: She always depends on her mentor for professional advice and encouragement. Rewrite: She always leans on her mentor for professional advice and encouragement.

  3. Original: Many consumers have a tendency to prefer environmentally friendly products these days. Rewrite: Many consumers incline towards environmentally friendly products these days.

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