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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 man was arrested and was being held in county jail in lieu of $100,000 bail on suspicion of robbery and resisting an officer, according to online jail records.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
He was being held at the Berkeley jail in lieu of $160,000 bail and was scheduled to be arraigned in court Wednesday.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Evergreen trees create a beautiful natural border in yards and gardens that can be used in lieu of a traditional fence.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
In lieu of much else to talk about from the uninspiring Salford game, Trafford’s remarks have become a big story.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lieu
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Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
He was being held at the Berkeley jail in lieu of $160,000 bail and was scheduled to be arraigned in court Wednesday.
—Harry Harris, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Evergreen trees create a beautiful natural border in yards and gardens that can be used in lieu of a traditional fence.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 Feb. 2026
In lieu of much else to talk about from the uninspiring Salford game, Trafford’s remarks have become a big story.
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 17 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lieu
noun
archaic
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