How to Pronounce Lean

To pronounce "lean", say LEAN — one syllable, IPA /liːn/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

lean

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Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/liːn/

IPA

"lean" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with keen and obscene, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: lien, lene, leen, lein — easy to mix up when writing.

noun

(of an object taller than its width and depth) An inclination away from the vertical.
“The trees had various leans toward gaps in the canopy.”

verb

To incline, deviate, or bend, from a vertical position; to be in a position thus inclining or deviating.
“She leaned out of the window.”
To incline in opinion or desire; to conform in conduct; often with to, toward, etc.
“I’m leaning towards voting Conservative in the next election. The Hispanic vote leans Democratic.”

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "lean"?▾

"Lean" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "lean"?▾

The IPA transcription of "lean" is /liːn/.

What does "lean" mean?▾

Lean: (of an object taller than its width and depth) An inclination away from the vertical.

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