What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lean
Example
She leaned against the wall while waiting for her friend. [leaned: past tense]
Example
The tower was leaning dangerously to one side. [leaning: present participle]
tilt
Example
The picture frame was tilted and needed to be straightened. [tilted: past tense]
Example
He tilted his head to get a better view of the painting. [tilting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lean is more commonly used than tilt in everyday language. Lean is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tilt is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lean and tilt?
Both lean and tilt are relatively informal words, but tilt can be used in more technical or specialized contexts, such as photography or engineering.
