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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
Company executives in industries such as Healthcare (67% of respondents) and Technology (84% of respondents) reported massive successes following their decisions to adopt Zoom calls in lieu of physical gatherings.
—Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Amanda Bunch, communications specialist for the Office of Indigent Defense Services, said the office has entered into eight contracts with attorneys to handle juvenile defense in Mecklenburg County in lieu of working with CFCR.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
That’s in lieu of concerns over his mental status and ability.
—Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025
Arriaga has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge, court records show, and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Kolawole Samuel Adebayo, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Amanda Bunch, communications specialist for the Office of Indigent Defense Services, said the office has entered into eight contracts with attorneys to handle juvenile defense in Mecklenburg County in lieu of working with CFCR.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
That’s in lieu of concerns over his mental status and ability.
—Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 28 May 2025
Arriaga has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge, court records show, and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 28 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.
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lieu
noun
archaic
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