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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
In lieu of a musical score, their dramatic rhythms shape each scene, resulting in simmering tensions that emerge gradually and organically, as Nourou and Maja refuse to acknowledge the personal and professional grievances that prevent them from forging a lasting love.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made to the College Church of the Nazarene Mercy Project or the Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
The actor appeared at Gucci’s film premiere (an evening in lieu of a spring 2026 runway show) wearing an ornate, gold gown.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
In lieu of anything else to do with herself, Barb decides to intervene.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked donations be made to the College Church of the Nazarene Mercy Project or the Olathe Mayor’s Children’s Fund.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025
The actor appeared at Gucci’s film premiere (an evening in lieu of a spring 2026 runway show) wearing an ornate, gold gown.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
In lieu of anything else to do with herself, Barb decides to intervene.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 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 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lieu
noun
archaic
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