Lean-faced

Describing a person whose face is thin and angular, with prominent bone structure. This appearance often suggests a lack of excess fat and can imply a certain severity or sharpness in features. The term emphasizes the contours and defined planes of the face, highlighting the underlying skeletal structure. It can denote a natural physique or, in some contexts, a sign of illness, hardship, or aging. This facial structure is commonly associated with a stoic or reserved demeanor.

Lean-faced meaning with examples

• The detective, a lean-faced man with eyes like chips of flint, surveyed the crime scene with a practiced gaze. His face, etched with the lines of countless investigations, gave him an intimidating presence. He moved with a quiet intensity, a sharp contrast to the bustling crowd. His lean-faced features were perfectly suited to his role.
• In the flickering candlelight, the artist's lean-faced silhouette was cast upon the canvas. Her hands, gnarled and stained with pigment, moved with a delicate precision. The stark angles of her face, illuminated by the soft glow, spoke of her long hours of artistic dedication. The image of her lean-faced expression was a portrait of devotion.
• The villagers, weary from years of drought, had a uniformly lean-faced appearance. Their faces, drawn and lined by hardship, reflected the struggles they faced. The scarcity of food and water had taken a heavy toll on them. Their expressions were tired, and their features showed the lean-faced results of ongoing struggle.
• The portrait depicted the king, stern and lean-faced, his jaw clenched. The harsh angles of his face conveyed strength, but also a sense of relentless control. He had a reputation as a hard ruler and an iron fist. His unwavering gaze, with the sharp lean-faced profile, showed how he ruled his kingdom.