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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
The payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT, agreement would generate a total of $55.2 million in revenue for the Pulaski County General Fund, the Pulaski County Special School District and the England School District over a period of 50 years.
—Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2025
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in memory of Wheeler to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Program, which Wheeler helped launch more than 20 years ago.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
In lieu of demographic data, these questions provide an open format in which students can reflect on their backgrounds and experiences, tying these aspects of their identity to their future contributions on campus.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
In lieu of Green’s impeachment measure, House Democrats floated a pair of resolutions to re-invoke the War Powers Act, while the Virginia senator Tim Kaine sponsored a companion bill in the Senate.
—Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Arkansas Online, 21 Aug. 2025
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in memory of Wheeler to the Belmont Abbey College Motorsports Program, which Wheeler helped launch more than 20 years ago.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2025
In lieu of demographic data, these questions provide an open format in which students can reflect on their backgrounds and experiences, tying these aspects of their identity to their future contributions on campus.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
In lieu of Green’s impeachment measure, House Democrats floated a pair of resolutions to re-invoke the War Powers Act, while the Virginia senator Tim Kaine sponsored a companion bill in the Senate.
—Chris Lehmann, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 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 1 Sep. 2025.
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lieu
noun
archaic
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