Lees: meaning, definitions and examples

This term is often used in nautical or sailing contexts to describe the side of a ship or area that is protected from the wind. It is a more specific term and less commonly used in everyday conversation.

• The ship anchored on the lees to avoid the strong winds.
• We found shelter on the lees as the storm approached.

This term is general and can be used in various contexts to refer to any side or area that is protected from wind or other natural elements. It is commonly used in everyday language as well as in specific situations like gardening, construction, and outdoor activities.

• We planted the delicate flowers on the sheltered side of the garden.
• During the blizzard, we parked the car on the sheltered side of the building to avoid snow damage.

This phrase is used to describe the side of an object or area that is in the direction the wind is blowing towards. It is common in weather reports, outdoor activities, and aviation.

• When setting up a campsite, always build your fire on the downwind side.
• The pilot adjusted the course to avoid turbulence on the downwind side of the mountain.

Use this word to describe the sediment at the bottom of a liquid, especially in wine-making. It refers to the leftover yeast and particles after fermentation.

• The wine was aged on the lees for an extra layer of complexity.
• The winemaker decided to filter out the lees before bottling.

This is a general term for describing something with an even, flat surface without any bumps or roughness. It’s very versatile and can be used for both physical textures and metaphorical uses such as interactions or processes.

• The marble countertop was cool and smooth to the touch.
• Their transition to the new software was surprisingly smooth.

Use this word to talk about making a surface smooth and shiny, most often when referring to surfaces like shoes, furniture, or floors. It can also mean improving something to make it better.

• He polished his shoes until they gleamed.
• She spent months polishing her manuscript before submitting it to the publisher.

This word is often used to describe making something smooth and shiny by rubbing it, or it can also refer to being muscular. The choice of context is essential.

• He spent hours buffing the car to get that perfect shine.
• After hitting the gym regularly, she was in great shape and quite buff.