Word
dregs
US/ˈdɹɛɡz/
UK/dɹˈɛɡz/
Plural noun
Definition
n. the small solid bits that settle at the bottom of a drink like coffee or wine. People also use it for the worst or least wanted part of a group.
n. sediment settling at the bottom of a liquid, especially a drink such as coffee, tea, or wine. Extended figuratively to the least valued remainder of any group or substance.
Examples
“The coffee dregs sit at the bottom of the cup.”
“She pours the wine slowly so the dregs stay in the bottle and do not cloud the glasses.”
“After the factory closed, the town felt like it had been left with the dregs of an economy that once supported three generations of workers.”
Examples
simple
“The coffee dregs sit at the bottom of the cup.”
contextual
“She pours the wine slowly so the dregs stay in the bottle and do not cloud the glasses.”
complex
“After the factory closed, the town felt like it had been left with the dregs of an economy that once supported three generations of workers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dregs” in context.
Verb
01. drain dregs
“He drained the dregs from his cup and stood up to leave.”
verb + noun
02. dregs remain
“Only dark dregs remained in the carafe after the tasting.”
noun + verb
03. dregs settle
“Let the coffee stand until the dregs settle to the bottom.”
noun + verb
04. leave dregs
“Please don't leave dregs in the bottom of the teapot.”
verb + noun
05. sink to dregs
“Once a proud club, they have sunk to the dregs of the league.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
06. bitter dregs
“After the scandal, he tasted the bitter dregs of public disgrace.”
adj + noun
07. last dregs
“She tipped the last dregs of cold tea into the sink.”
adj + noun
08. muddy dregs
“Muddy dregs coated the bottom of the wine bottle.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. coffee dregs
“Turkish fortune-tellers claim to read coffee dregs.”
noun + noun
10. dregs of society
“The novel portrays criminals as the dregs of society.”
noun + prep + noun
11. drain to the dregs
“He was forced to drain his humiliation to the dregs in court.”
12. read the coffee dregs
“In Istanbul, she had a fortune-teller read the coffee dregs.”
Usage
Plural in form and takes a plural verb; often followed by 'of' in the figurative sense ('the dregs of').
Etymology
See dreg.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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