lees
1 synonym for lees, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The sediment of dead yeast and fruit residue left after fermenting a drink like wine.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lees
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
aged on the lees
settle to the lees
Etymology
From Old French lies, going back to a Gaulish word for silt or sediment — related distantly to the place names Loire and Leicester.
Full origin of lees →Frequently asked questions
What does “lees” mean?
The word “lees” means the sediment of dead yeast and fruit residue left after fermenting a drink like wine. In plain terms, the leftover sludge at the bottom of a fermenting barrel or bottle.
How do you pronounce “lees”?
“Lees” is pronounced leez (/liːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “lees” in a sentence?
Here is “lees” used in a sentence: “The wine was aged on its lees to develop a richer flavour.”
What part of speech is “lees”?
“Lees” is a noun.
Where does the word “lees” come from?
The word “lees” comes from Old French. From Old French lies, going back to a Gaulish word for silt or sediment — related distantly to the place names Loire and Leicester.
