lee

The word “lee” means the sheltered side of something, away from the wind. In plain terms, the side of something that blocks the wind, giving shelter.

“Lee” is pronounced lee (/liː/ in IPA).

Here is “lee” used in a sentence: “The boats anchored in the lee of the island to escape the storm.”

The opposite of “lee” — its antonyms — are stoss, weather and windward.

“Lee” is a noun.

The word “lee” comes from Old English. From Old English hlēo, "shelter" or "protection" — related to Old Norse words for shelter from wind.

“Lee” is a fairly common word in modern English.

The lee side is the sheltered side, facing away from the wind, where you are protected from its force. The windward side faces directly into the wind and takes its full strength. Sailors seek the lee of a headland for calm water; the windward side stays rough and exposed.

'Leeward' is the adjective and adverb formed from lee. It means on or toward the sheltered side, away from the wind — the leeward side of a mountain or a ship. It is the direct counterpart of 'windward', which means toward the side the wind is blowing from.

They sound the same but mean different things. 'Lee' is the sheltered side of something, away from the wind. 'Lea' is an old, poetic word for an open meadow or grassland. Because they are homophones, they are easy to mix up in writing, but their meanings never overlap.