lean
adjective/liːn/
/liːn/
(comparative leaner, superlative leanest)
- (usually approving) (of people, especially men, or animals) without much fat; thin and fit
- He had a lean, muscular body.
- He was tall, lean and handsome.
- The Frenchman's body looked lean and hard.
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- (of meat) containing little or no fat
- a lean, tender piece of beef
- [usually before noun] (of a period of time) difficult and not producing much money, food, etc.
- a lean period/spell
- The company recovered well after going through several lean years.
- This is the leanest time of the year for the tourist industry.
- Many animals have a lean time of it in winter.
Extra Examples- They have a rather lean time through the winter months.
- These were very lean years for the company.
- (of organizations, etc.) strong and efficient because they avoid waste in their processes and do not have more employees than is necessary
- The changes made the company leaner and more competitive.
Word Originadjective Old English hlǣne, of Germanic origin.
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lean