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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
Bell remains in Sacramento County Main Jail custody in lieu of $1 million bail ahead of his arraignment.
—Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
In lieu of a miniskirt and go-go boots, the vocalist looked chic in a black blazer while standing on stage with her band Thursday (Jan. 16), immediately bringing energy to the Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess track’s hot-and-heavy opening verse.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
Valdez-Reyes was being held in the Saline County jail in lieu of a $15,000 bond on charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations, fleeing and public intoxication, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Davis entered a plea of not guilty on Lewis’ behalf and ordered him held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
—Samira Puskar, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lieu 
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Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
In lieu of a miniskirt and go-go boots, the vocalist looked chic in a black blazer while standing on stage with her band Thursday (Jan. 16), immediately bringing energy to the Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess track’s hot-and-heavy opening verse.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Jan. 2025
Valdez-Reyes was being held in the Saline County jail in lieu of a $15,000 bond on charges including battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental operations, fleeing and public intoxication, the release states.
—Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 15 Jan. 2025
Davis entered a plea of not guilty on Lewis’ behalf and ordered him held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
—Samira Puskar, NBC News, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lieu
Dictionary Entries Near lieu
Cite this Entry
“Lieu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lieu. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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lieu
noun
archaic
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