What does leaning mean?
A leaning is a tendency, inclination, or preference that draws someone toward a particular belief, style of behaviour, or course of action. The noun is especially common when discussing political or ideological positions, as in "a strong liberal leaning," and it may indicate either a settled preference or a tentative direction. In its adjectival use, leaning means inclined toward a decision or opinion: a committee might be "leaning toward approval" before it reaches a final vote. The word can also describe something physically tilted or resting at an angle, as in a building that is "leaning to one side." Its usefulness lies in its ability to convey a direction of thought or preference without necessarily implying certainty. While "inclination" is more formal and "bias" often suggests an unfair or obstructive partiality, "leaning" is comparatively neutral and works well for describing both enduring attitudes and provisional choices.
An inclination, tendency, or preference, especially a political or ideological one.
"Her political leanings shifted after the election."
Often plural when referring to a set of political, religious, or ideological preferences.
Inclined or tending toward a particular belief, action, or direction.
"The judges were leaning toward accepting the appeal."
Commonly used with "toward" or "against"; it can suggest a preference that has not yet become final.
The present participle of lean, meaning to incline, rest at an angle, or move in a particular direction.
"He kept leaning forward to hear the speaker more clearly."
This is a grammatical participial form of the verb lean rather than a separate lexical verb.
The plural is especially natural for a set of political, ideological, religious, or personal preferences.
"The electorate's leanings were clearly reflected in the campaign."
A leaning may be only a slight preference, but a strong leaning can shape how a person votes, works, and sees the world.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leaning come from?
The historical development of English lean is complex, with the modern adjective and verb traced to Old English and related Germanic forms rather than to a single transparent modern line of descent. Leaning was formed within English as the present participle and gerund of lean; as a noun, the -ing formation also came to denote an inclination or tendency. Modern usage preserves several related senses, including physical inclination and a predisposition toward a belief or course of action.
How leaning is actually used
In political and social contexts, the noun is often used in the plural form, as in "political leanings," for a set of attitudes or preferences. As a participial adjective, it is commonly followed by "toward" or "against"; "towards" is also common.