leaning

[lee-ning]

noun

1. inclination; tendency.

   strong literary leanings.

   Synonyms: penchant, bias, proclivity, propensity, bent

leaning

/ ˈliːnɪŋ /

noun

1. a tendency or inclination

Word History and Origins

Origin of leaning¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English leninge, Old English hlining; lean ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

She’s leaning against our dusty doorway, jumping between playing on her phone and watching our conversation unfold.

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“The fish,” he said, leaning back in his chair, “do not catch themselves.”

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Beowulf Incorrigible was leaning so far out the nursery window that his governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, was afraid he might tumble out.

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Michael was leaning on the kitchen counter with his head in his hands.

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“I see,” President Davis replied, attentively leaning forward across the desk.

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Related Words

• inclination 
• predilection 
• propensity 
• sentiment