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lean towards

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To sort of prefer one thing over others, but maybe not 100% decided yet.

Literal meaning: To physically tilt your body in a particular direction.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To have a preference or slight inclination toward a particular choice or option.

"After reviewing both proposals, the committee is leaning towards the more affordable option."

"I lean towards the view that we need a federal solution."

— Gordon Brown, speech to the Labour Party Conference, 2007
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

To hold or adopt a particular political, philosophical, or ideological position.

"She has always leaned towards progressive politics."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 neutral

To show a natural tendency or bias toward a certain style, approach, or way of thinking.

"His writing leaned towards the poetic rather than the purely factual."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Often used when someone is considering options and has a soft preference but hasn't fully committed. Common in both spoken and written English across all regions.

Commonly used with

opinion view side position candidate solution

Forms

Base
lean towards
I/you/we/they
3rd person
leans towards
he/she/it
Past simple
leaned towards
yesterday
Past participle
leaned towards
have + pp
-ing form
leaning towards
continuous

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Synonyms

favour prefer be inclined towards tend towards gravitate towards be partial to

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