leaner

Leaner is the comparative form of the adjective lean. It describes something that has more slenderness or less fat when compared with another thing. The term is used for physical attributes, as in a leaner physique, and for non-physical qualities, such as a leaner budget, process, or design that aims for greater efficiency.

In nutrition and food labeling, leaner typically denotes lower fat content or fewer calories per serving, relative to a standard product. In fitness contexts, a person may seek a leaner body composition by reducing fat while preserving or increasing muscle mass.

Etymology: lean is a native English word, and leaner is formed with the comparative suffix -er. The sense of increasing slenderness or economy has long been established in English usage.

As a proper noun, Leaner may appear as a surname or the name of brands, organizations, or fictional characters, but without context there is no single widely known meaning associated with the term.

See also: lean, leanness.