Lean-cheeked

Describing a person, especially a man, whose cheeks appear thin and gaunt, often due to a lack of fat or underlying muscle, implying a possible state of being thin, perhaps even sickly or starved. The term often evokes an image of sharpness and angularity in the face, and can suggest a certain severity or even a fragility in the person's appearance. This physical characteristic might be naturally occurring or brought on by illness, hardship, or age. The emphasis is on the noticeable absence of plumpness in the cheeks.

Lean-cheeked meaning with examples

• The old prospector, lean-cheeked and weathered by the harsh desert sun, squinted at the shimmering horizon, his eyes holding a lifetime of stories. The harsh conditions had taken their toll, but his resolve remained unbroken, and he kept on searching for the hidden gold.
• The famine victim, lean-cheeked and hollow-eyed, clutched at the meager rations offered. Years of suffering and starvation had left their mark etched onto his face, a haunting reminder of the devastation they had endured, praying for a better tomorrow.
• The portrait revealed the artist, lean-cheeked but with eyes full of intense focus, gazing with a look that transcended the superficial reality of his physical condition. The lean-cheeked appearance reflected the intensity and dedication poured into his creative passion.
• The marathon runner, lean-cheeked after weeks of rigorous training and grueling competition, crossed the finish line. His sculpted, yet lean-cheeked face, showed a display of raw willpower and sacrifice and his body told a story of endurance and unwavering determination.