ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leans

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈɫinz// UK //lˈiːnz// leans

v. to move your body so it is not straight, or to rest against something for support. You also use it to say you prefer one idea or opinion over another.

v. to incline the body or an object from a vertical position; to rely on a surface for physical support. In an abstract sense, it indicates a tendency or preference toward a particular opinion or action.


SIMPLE

He leans against the wall while waiting for the bus.

CONTEXTUAL

The tower leans slightly to the left because the ground underneath it is too soft.

COMPLEX

While the committee remains officially neutral, the chairman leans toward the more conservative proposal due to the significant budget constraints facing the department this fiscal year.

Synonyms
Usage

Often takes the prepositions 'against' for physical support or 'toward' for preferences.

Pitfall

He leans to the wallHe leans against the wallWhen using an object for physical support, 'against' is the correct preposition; 'to' or 'toward' implies direction without contact.

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