The verb to lean · Conjugation
Past Simple of lean
The answer: leaned (US) / leant (UK)
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to lean is leaned (US) / leant (UK).
Example: She leaned forward.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | leaned / leant |
| You | leaned / leant |
| He / She / It | leaned / leant |
| We | leaned / leant |
| You (pl.) | leaned / leant |
| They | leaned / leant |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Leaned (US) / leant (UK)
Both forms are correct. The US prefers leaned. In the UK, you see both, and leant is pronounced /lent/.
2. Lean is also an adjective
Lean (adjective) = thin and strong: lean meat, a lean body.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of lean?+
Leaned (US, regular) or leant (UK, pronounced /lent/). A few other verbs also have two forms like this.
Lean on or lean against: which one?+
Lean on someone = to depend on them. Lean against something = to rest your body on it. I lean on my friend (figurative). I lean against the wall (physical).
Does lean mean thin?+
Yes, as an adjective. Lean means thin and strong (positive). Lean meat has little fat. A lean body is athletic.
What is the Leaning Tower?+
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous tower in Italy. It is called leaning because it is not straight.
What is a lean startup?+
A lean startup is a fast and flexible way to start a company (a method by Eric Ries). Lean management means managing with no waste.
Related pages: lean Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/lean/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to lean are coming soon.