Past Tense of Lean
For the verb “lean,” Cambridge records leaned for both past roles and also marks leant as a UK form. Preserve that regional boundary rather than treating one documented form as universally wrong.
“Leaned” is a past-tense and past-participle form of “lean”; Cambridge also records UK “leant.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past | leaned / UK also leant | Both are documented; Cambridge explicitly labels “leant” UK. |
| past participle | leaned / UK also leant | Both are documented; Cambridge explicitly labels “leant” UK. |
| present/base form | lean | Use “lean.” |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need the simple past or past participle of “lean”?
If yes: Use documented “leaned”; Cambridge also records UK “leant.”
If no: Use “lean” or the appropriate present form if the sentence is not past.
Caveat: The reviewed evidence supports both forms with an explicit UK label on “leant”; it does not establish a broader universal preference hierarchy.
Examples
She leaned against the railing.
“Leaned” is a documented simple-past form.
He had leaned the ladder against the wall.
“Leaned” is a documented past participle.
The report said the old tower leant toward the road.
“Leant” is a documented UK past form in Cambridge.
Further guidance
Core difference
First identify whether you need a past form. “Leaned” is documented for both past roles; “leant” is also documented by Cambridge with an explicit UK label.
Fast Test
Do not invent a universal frequency or correctness ranking beyond the reviewed source labels.
Usage Boundary
This guide covers verb inflection; adjective “lean” and unrelated figurative preference questions are separate tasks.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- LEAN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Merriam-Webster records leaned as the verb inflection of lean.
- LEAN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Cambridge records leaned as past tense and past participle, with UK leant also documented.