Synonyms of lean
53 similar words · 2 opposite words
Another word for lean is disenrich. Other synonyms of lean are tilt, lithe, svelte, willowy and gracile. The opposite of lean is enrich.
Synonyms and similar words for lean
nounAn inclination away from the vertical.
adjectiveSlim; not fleshy.
- litheSlim but not skinny.
- svelte
- willowyTall, slender and graceful.
- gracileLean, slender, thin.
- lankSlender or thin; not well filled out; not plump; shrunken; lean.
- leansomeCharacterised or marked by leanness; thin.
- lithesomeCharacterised or marked by litheness; pliant, limber, nimble, lissom.
- lissome
- rangy
- sleekSlim and streamlined; not plump, thick, or stocky.
- slender
- slightOf slender build.
- slimSlender in an attractive way.
- swack UK, dialectalLithe; nimble.
- sylphlikeResembling (that of) a sylph; slender and graceful.
- gaunt obsoleteWith a positive or neutral connotation: not overweight; lean, slender, slim.
- slinky UK, datedThin; lank; lean.
adjectiveHaving little extra or little to spare; scanty; meagre.
- insufficient
- scarce
- sparse
- awantingMissing; wanting; deficient or absent.
- deficient
- dismalDisappointingly inadequate.
- exiguousScanty; meager.
- geason UK, dialectal
- inadequateNot adequate; lacking in quality or quantity required; insufficient for a purpose.
- lousyInsufficient and less than expected of a good thing.
- meagerHaving little flesh; lean; thin.
- measly
- paltry
- poorInadequate, insufficient.
- raunchy
- scant
- scantlingNot plentiful; small; scanty.
- scanty
- skimpy
- sleazy
- spareLean; lacking flesh; meager; thin; gaunt.
- threadbare figurativelyIn poor condition; damaged, shabby; also, poorly equipped or provided for, inadequate, meagre, scanty.
- unsatisfactoryInadequate, substandard or not satisfactory.
- unsufficientSynonym of insufficient.
- wanting
- wanty UK, dialectalPossessing or indicating lack; deficient.
adjectiveHaving a low proportion or concentration of a desired substance or ingredient.
verbTo thin out (a fuel-air mixture): to reduce the fuel flow into the mixture so that there is more...
nounA recreational drug composed of codeine-promethazine cough syrup mixed with usually soda and...
Opposite of lean
adjectiveHaving a low proportion or concentration of a desired substance or ingredient.
- richOf a fuel-air mixture: having more fuel (thus less air) than is necessary to burn all of the fuel; less air- or oxygen-...
verbTo thin out (a fuel-air mixture): to reduce the fuel flow into the mixture so that there is more...
- enrichTo make (someone or something) rich or richer.
Meaning of lean
- verb To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to be in a position thus inclining or deviating.
- verb To incline in opinion or desire; to conform in conduct; often with to, toward, etc.
- verb To rest or rely, for support, comfort, to use as a hard surface for writing, etc.
lean in other languages
Questions about synonyms of lean
- What is another word for lean?
- Lean has 53 synonyms on Word.ws, such as disenrich, tilt, lithe, svelte, willowy, gracile, lank and leansome.
- What is the opposite of lean?
- The opposite of lean is enrich.
- What does lean mean?
- Lean means to incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to be in a position thus inclining or deviating.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: lean (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of lean.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/lean. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.