being lean

Meanings

1. 1phrase

   the state of having little body fat and a thin, healthy shape

   Grammar: This is the -ing form of 'be' plus the adjective 'lean'; it works as a noun-like phrase, often after 'of' or as a subject.

   Patterns

   • the benefits of being lean
   • being lean and muscular

   Many athletes care about being lean because it helps them move faster.

   After months of training, he was proud of being lean and strong.

   Being lean does not always mean being healthy; you still need to eat well.

2. 2phrasebusiness

   the state of a company or organization using few resources and little waste

   Grammar: Used mainly in business writing, often after 'of' or as a subject: 'being lean keeps costs down'.

   Patterns

   • being lean and efficient
   • the goal of being lean

   The factory focused on being lean to cut unnecessary costs.

   Being lean helped the startup survive its first difficult year.

Common combinations

being lean and mean

After the restructuring, the company described itself as being lean and mean.

the advantage of being lean

One advantage of being lean is that you can react quickly to change.

stay lean

He works out every morning to stay lean.

get lean

She changed her diet to get lean before the competition.

Synonyms and how they differ

thin

Thin is a general word for low body weight and can sound negative, while 'lean' usually suggests health and muscle.

slim

Slim is often used for an attractive body shape, but 'lean' emphasizes low fat rather than appearance.

skinny

Skinny is informal and can be disapproving; 'lean' is neutral or approving in fitness contexts.

Opposites

Word family

lean adjective

having little fat or few extra resources

leanness noun

the quality of being lean

lean verb

to bend or move toward one side

Commonly confused: being lean or leaning?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “being lean”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words