Word
leans
US/ˈɫinz/
UK/lˈiːnz/
Definition
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.
Examples
“He leans against the wall while waiting for the bus.”
“The tower leans slightly to the left because the ground underneath it is too soft.”
“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.”
Examples
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.”
Usage
Often takes the prepositions 'against' for physical support or 'toward' for preferences.
Pitfall
He leans to the wall
He leans against the wall
When using an object for physical support, 'against' is the correct preposition; 'to' or 'toward' implies direction without contact.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/leans