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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
Umland, who worked at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua, resigned in lieu of being fired.
—Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The study also found that in lieu of buying up Manolo Blahnik heels or Hermès handbags, luxury shoppers have a growing preference for wellness and travel experiences.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
In 2021, Alvey opposed reducing the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes fee on BPU bills, which are set by the UG and fund City Hall.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
In lieu of the Speedcat’s traditional tongue, lateral and toe Puma branding, JJJJound’s logo is stamped at the heel and printed on the insole.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Danielle Duclos, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The study also found that in lieu of buying up Manolo Blahnik heels or Hermès handbags, luxury shoppers have a growing preference for wellness and travel experiences.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025
In 2021, Alvey opposed reducing the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes fee on BPU bills, which are set by the UG and fund City Hall.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2025
In lieu of the Speedcat’s traditional tongue, lateral and toe Puma branding, JJJJound’s logo is stamped at the heel and printed on the insole.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2025.
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lieu
noun
archaic
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