dregs
C1Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
The last, least valuable, or most undesirable parts of something, typically the sediment at the bottom of a liquid (especially wine, coffee).
A metaphor for the most worthless or contemptible portion of anything, especially people.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in the plural form 'dregs'. Carries a strongly negative connotation, implying worthlessness and residual filth. Often used figuratively to describe society or a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. The figurative use for people is equally strong in both variants.
Connotations
Equally negative in both, implying useless sediment or the worst of society.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English, but remains a mid-to-low frequency word in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[drink/drain] + the + dregs + [of + NP]the + dregs + of + [society/humanity/wine]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the dregs of society”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; potentially used figuratively in critical analysis, e.g., 'The company was sold off, leaving only the dregs of its former portfolio.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis and sociological texts describing class or societal stratification.
Everyday
Limited; mostly for literal sediment in a drink or humorous self-deprecation, e.g., 'I'm just drinking the dregs of this coffee.'
Technical
Specific use in brewing/oenology to describe sediment (lees).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He dregs his tea cup carefully. (Non-standard/rare, potentially dialectal)
American English
- (This word is almost exclusively a noun; verb use 'to dreg' is obsolete/non-standard.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial form.)
American English
- (No adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival form; 'dreggy' is informal.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival form.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I don't like the dregs in my juice.
- She poured out the coffee, leaving the dregs in the pot.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of DRAGS – the heavy, useless part that DRAGS along at the bottom.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESS IS THE SEDIMENT / SOCIETY IS A LIQUID (with the good part consumed first).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'отстой' in formal contexts; it's too colloquial. 'Осадок' is better for the literal meaning, 'отбросы общества' for the figurative.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a singular noun (*a dreg). Using it without a definite article in figurative phrases (*'He is dreg of society').
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'the dregs of humanity', what does 'dregs' metaphorically represent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost always used in the plural form 'dregs'.
It is strongly negative and contemptuous when applied to people, so it can be offensive. Use with caution in social contexts.
'Sediment' is a neutral, scientific term. 'Dregs' implies the sediment is worthless, unwanted, and often bitter.
Very rarely. Its inherent meaning is negative. A possible neutral use is in specific contexts like winemaking ('the wine rests on its dregs').