“Lean” or “Lien”—Which to use?

“Lean” or “Lien”

Overview

lean / lien are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term. 👇

Definitions

lean: (verb) to incline or bend from a vertical position. (verb) cause to lean or incline. (verb) rely on for support. (adjective) lacking in mineral content or combustible material. (adjective) containing little excess. (adjective) not profitable or prosperous.

lien: (noun) the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged.

Pronunciation

lean: l·IY·n

lien: l·IY·n

Trends

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Examples in Context

Examples of “lean”

…is seeing these images of lean and beautiful women, her boyfriend's…
…to be seen as a lean manufacturing method that allows factories…
This pigment has a lean and dry character.
…also recorded a version of "Lean on Me" with Michael Jackson,…
…Jewish religious literature, as a lean youth, naked and uncircumcised, a…
…Sarris qualified Stewart's performance as "lean, gangling, idealistic to the point…
…Production System, and many other lean manufacturing derivatives, a DFT line…
…coir industry went through a lean period during the World War…
…spoofs a number of David Lean epics, including Lawrence of Arabia…
…a slight adult album alternative lean), Nielsen BDS and Mediabase reported…

Examples of “lien”

…with teammates Katleen De Caluwé, Lien Huyghebaert and Kim Gevaert.
Lien Chen-li (Class of 2011) -…
…in interpreting the Canadian Builders’ Lien Act.

(Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions drawn from WordNet.)

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