American Dictionary

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Definition lean in American English

lean adjective

adjective
/lin/
1

thin and looking physically fit and healthy

Example

He was lean and tanned.

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2

lean meat has very little fat in it

Example

a lean cut of beef

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3

a lean business spends as little money and employs as few workers as possible so that it will make a good profit

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4

a lean period of time is very difficult to live in because many people lack money or other necessary things

Example

the lean years of the Depression

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5

a lean crop, harvest, etc. is very small

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Definition lean in American English