adjective
lean
Having little available to meet needs.
During lean times, our family saves every dollar for necessities.
Etymology
The physical adjective describes little flesh or fat. Applied to resources or times, lean transfers that lack of surplus to a shortage of what people need.
More examples
- The shelter struggles to feed everyone on a lean budget.
- After two lean years, the farm finally turns a profit.
- Winter is a lean season for the town's outdoor guides.
Forms
lean · leaner · leanest