What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dreg
Example
The coffee pot was full of dregs after sitting on the burner all day. [dregs: noun]
Example
He was left with the dregs of his inheritance after his siblings took their share. [dregs: noun]
lees
Example
The wine had a layer of lees at the bottom of the bottle. [lees: noun]
Example
She was left with the lees of the company's profits after the shareholders took their share. [lees: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lees is more commonly used in British English, while dreg is more commonly used in American English. Both words are less common in everyday language and are more likely to be used in specialized contexts such as winemaking or chemistry.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dreg and lees?
Both dreg and lees are considered formal words and are not commonly used in casual conversation. They are more likely to be used in technical or specialized writing.
