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Lieu vs. Loo vs. Lue
Due to its unusual Francophonic spelling, many people misspell lieu (which appears most often in the phrase in lieu of) as loo or lue. We even have evidence for people assuming the phrase is inlu of. It is, in fact, in lieu of. Lieu as a standalone noun means “place” and it’s now archaic. You can remember the spelling of lieu by using the mnemonic “lieu in everyday use.”
Examples of lieu in a Sentence
I have decided that in lieu of a going-away shower, those who wish to go in on a nice gift for her can see me after church.
—
Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home, 1989
Many of those pigs live here. Do they ever wonder why their masters walk upright in lieu of going on all-fours?
—Charles Dickens, American Notes for General Circulation, 1842
But when she read, and re-read with the closest attention, the particulars immediately following of Wickham's resigning all pretensions to the living, of his receiving, in lieu, so considerable a sum as three thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate.
—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home, 1989
Many of those pigs live here. Do they ever wonder why their masters walk upright in lieu of going on all-fours?
—Charles Dickens, American Notes for General Circulation, 1842
But when she read, and re-read with the closest attention, the particulars immediately following of Wickham's resigning all pretensions to the living, of his receiving, in lieu, so considerable a sum as three thousand pounds, again was she forced to hesitate.
—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Recent Examples on the Web
Noel was still in custody Friday in lieu of $250,000 bail.
—Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
Their scale allows for more ability to play around with configurations—side-by-side with a dresser in between in lieu of two side tables, foot-to-foot on one wall, head-to-head with a headboard in between, or tucked like an L-shape in a corner.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025
David Geffen Theater, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles
Tuesday, February 25
6 p.m. – Oscars Nominees Dinner
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles
In lieu of lunch this year, this dinner is where the annual mega nominees photo will be snapped.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025
In lieu of concrete answers, Morris latched onto other people and elements of the mystery, like Manson’s music.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2025
Their scale allows for more ability to play around with configurations—side-by-side with a dresser in between in lieu of two side tables, foot-to-foot on one wall, head-to-head with a headboard in between, or tucked like an L-shape in a corner.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025
David Geffen Theater, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles
Tuesday, February 25
6 p.m. – Oscars Nominees Dinner
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles
In lieu of lunch this year, this dinner is where the annual mega nominees photo will be snapped.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025
In lieu of concrete answers, Morris latched onto other people and elements of the mystery, like Manson’s music.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lieu
Cite this Entry
“Lieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lieu. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lieu
noun
archaic
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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