dreg

noun

1
: sediment contained in a liquid or precipitated (see precipitate entry 1 sense 3a) from it : lees
usually used in plural
coffee dregs at the bottom of the cup
2
: the most undesirable part
usually used in plural
the dregs of society
3
: the last remaining part : vestige
usually used in plural
the last dregs of fuel
dreggy adjective

Examples of dreg in a Sentence

poured the dregs into the sink
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This isn’t a collection of anonymous starters playing for teams projected to be among the dregs of the league. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Sep. 2025 Finding the right tune each night in the dregs of the regular season is a more difficult challenge. Michael Shapiro, Chron, 22 Apr. 2023 The woman, perhaps a prostitute, is shown flicking dregs of wine from a cup at a target in a game the Greeks called kottabos. Tom Mashberg, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2023 Such critics in turn have usually not listened to the stories and experience of those who have drunk the current medical cocktail of gender transitioning to its bitter dregs— the growing numbers of detransitioners. John Grabowski, National Review, 3 Apr. 2023 See All Example Sentences for dreg

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse dregg; perhaps akin to Latin fraces dregs of oil

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dreg was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dreg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dreg. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.

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