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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 rest of Florida’s on-field assistant coaches will receive the $500 stipend, or $6,000 annually, in lieu of having a dealership car.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The city charges inclusionary housing in-lieu fees to encourage developers to build affordable housing in their projects.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
This fun twist on a caprese salad uses fresh strawberries in lieu of tomatoes for a sweet surprise.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 23 May 2026
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to World Central Kitchen and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026
The city charges inclusionary housing in-lieu fees to encourage developers to build affordable housing in their projects.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
This fun twist on a caprese salad uses fresh strawberries in lieu of tomatoes for a sweet surprise.
—Joie Probst, Midwest Living, 23 May 2026
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to World Central Kitchen and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 22 May 2026
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. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lieu
noun
archaic
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