# leaner

/ˈɫinɝ/ (US) · /lˈiːnɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leaner
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

having less fat or being thinner than before. You also use it to describe a business or system that uses fewer people or less money to do the same work.

For teachers: the comparative form of 'lean'; describes a person or animal with less body fat, or an organization that has become more efficient by reducing waste and personnel.

## Examples

- The athlete looks much leaner after months of training.
- After the merger, the company emerged as a leaner organization with a smaller but more specialized workforce.
- By adopting just-in-time manufacturing, the factory achieved a leaner production cycle that significantly reduced the capital tied up in unsold inventory.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is more lean than his brother." but "He is leaner than his brother." — One-syllable adjectives usually take the '-er' suffix for comparatives rather than the word 'more'.

## Usage notes

- Comparative form of the adjective 'lean'. Often used in business contexts to imply improved efficiency through cost-cutting.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.