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“Leans” or “Liens”

leans / liens 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.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

leans l·IY·n·z

  • verbto incline or bend from a vertical position.
  • verbcause to lean or incline.
  • verbrely on for support.

liens l·IY·n·z

  • nounthe right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“leans”

  • …in his parked car, he leans over to kiss her when…
  • …being together with him again leans in for a kiss, however…
  • …semi-arid and subarctic climates, that leans towards the continental variety.
  • On other social issues, he leans libertarian; he supports equal rights…
  • It leans heavily on the contents of…
  • …and David Lean's Great Expectations (1946).
  • …walks upright in maturity, and leans on a stick in old
  • The Charlottesville metropolitan area leans Democratic.
  • Albermarle leans Democratic, paralleling the entire region,…

“liens”

  • …"stevedore wages" as preferred maritime liens.
  • …ensure there are no outstanding liens or other kinds of interests…
  • …who seek information as to liens on real estate or for…

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

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