Dictionary-enhanced word family
Word Forms of “Lean”
To bend your body or tilt something so it's no longer straight up and down.
Word Family of Lean
Some English words keep the same spelling as a noun and a verb. Context tells you which form is being used.
How to Use Each Word Form in a Sentence
- Don't lean against that wet paint on the door. A2
- She leaned forward to hear what he was saying. A2
- The tower leaned so dangerously that engineers considered it a structural risk. B2
Word Form Patterns for Lean
-ness
Adds **-ness** to make a noun meaning the state, quality, or condition of being something. Example: lean → leanness.
Origin and Word Formation of Lean
From Old English 'hlinian', meaning to recline or bend; related to 'lend' in old usage.
Common in phrases: 'lean against a wall', 'lean in for a kiss', 'lean back in a chair'; idiom 'lean on someone' means depend on or pressure someone.
Common Word Form Mistakes with Lean
Wrong: He lean on the wall for support.
Correct: He leans on the wall for support.
Third person singular subject 'he' requires 's' form: leans, not lean. Use base form only with I/you/we/they.
Frequently Asked Questions About Word Forms of Lean
What are the word forms of “lean”?
The confirmed forms are shown in the word family cards above. Missing parts of speech are hidden instead of filled with placeholder text.
What part of speech is “lean”?
“lean” is primarily a verb. Some forms above show how the same root works as other parts of speech.
Can “lean” be both a noun and a verb?
Yes. Some words keep the same spelling across parts of speech; the surrounding sentence shows the function.
Where does “lean” come from?
From Old English 'hlinian', meaning to recline or bend; related to 'lend' in old usage.