noun
lieu
lyoo
noun
1
Used in the phrase "in lieu of," meaning in place of or instead of.
"She took an extra day off in lieu of overtime pay."
"The company offered store credit in lieu of a refund."
How to Use Lieu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlmost always used as "in lieu of," meaning "instead of."
Memory tip
Outside the fixed phrase "in lieu of," this word essentially isn't used in modern English.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
in lieu of
Word Forms
Lieus plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “lieu”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She took an extra day off in _____ of overtime pay.
Etymology
Borrowed from French lieu, "place," from Latin locus.