Dregs
noun
Definition
1. The solid bits that sink to the bottom of liquids like wine or coffee.
2. “the dregs of society” — people considered the lowest and most worthless.
2. “the dregs of society” — people considered the lowest and most worthless.
Context Alive
Grandpa lifted his coffee cup and frowned at the dark dregs swirling at the bottom, the bitter grounds that had escaped the filter. He set the cup down with a sigh, knowing the last sip would taste terrible, and decided to make a fresh pot instead.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Solid Pieces at the Bottom of a Liquid (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about the small bits that settle at the bottom of drinks like wine, coffee, or tea. Imagine finishing a glass of homemade lemonade and finding dregs of pulp and sugar at the bottom that didn’t dissolve properly. This is dregs — the sediment left behind. You might see dregs of tea leaves at the bottom of a cup, or wine dregs could leave a dark stain on the glass. Or picture someone swirling coffee dregs to read fortunes. The word suggests the unwanted remainder at the bottom.
Vivid ExampleShe poured the last of the wine carefully, trying to avoid the bitter dregs that had settled at the bottom of the bottle after it sat open all evening.
2 The Lowest Members of Society — Figurative (Noun) — COMMON Common ▼
This meaning is about describing people as the worst or most worthless part of society — a very offensive and judgmental term. Imagine a cruel politician calling homeless people the dregs of society, dismissing them as worthless rather than offering help. This is dregs — a dehumanizing label. You might hear villains in movies described as the dregs of humanity, or someone could cruelly say criminals are society’s dregs. Or picture a snob who looks down on workers as the dregs. The word carries strong contempt and judgment — be careful using it.
Vivid ExampleThe wealthy businessman arrogantly dismissed the protestors as the dregs of society, completely ignoring their legitimate concerns about unfair wages and dangerous working conditions.
Examples from the Street
“There were just dregs left at the bottom of the coffee cup.”
There was just a small amount of sediment remaining at the base of the mug
“He drank the wine right down to the dregs.”
He consumed the alcohol completely, including the sediment at the bottom
“They treat homeless people like the dregs of society.”
They treat people without homes as if they’re the lowest, most worthless members of the community
Common Patterns
the dregs of [liquid] → the sediment at the bottom of a drink
coffee/tea/wine dregs → residue left in cups or glasses
down to the dregs → completely finished, including the sediment
drain the dregs → drink or empty the last remaining liquid
the dregs of society → the lowest, most despised people
the dregs of humanity → the worst examples of human beings
the dregs of [something] → the worst or most worthless part
treat someone like dregs → treat someone as worthless
Collocations
3 collocationsdregs of society
people considered the lowest in status
dregs of the coffee
the leftover bits at the bottom of a cup
down to the dregs
using the very last remaining amount
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
She swirled the coffee dregs at the bottom of her cup
She stirred the dark residue sitting at the base of her mug.
2
He drank the beer down to the dregs, not wasting a single drop
He consumed the alcoholic beverage completely, leaving nothing behind.
3
The politician described criminals as the dregs of society
The government official called lawbreakers the lowest and most worthless members of the community.
4
Don’t drink the dregs — there’s sediment at the bottom of that wine
Don’t consume the last bit — there’s residue at the base of that glass.
5
By Friday afternoon, only the dregs of my energy remain
By the end of the working week, only the last scraps of my strength are left.
6
The Victorian poor were often treated as the dregs of humanity
People without money in that era were frequently regarded as the lowest examples of human beings.
7
She drained her glass to the dregs and ordered another
She emptied her drinking vessel completely and requested one more.
8
Turkish coffee traditionally leaves thick dregs at the bottom of the cup
The traditional hot drink from Turkey normally leaves dense sediment at the base of the vessel.
9
The film portrayed the characters as the dregs — criminals and addicts
The movie depicted the individuals as society’s lowest — lawbreakers and substance abusers.
10
We’re scraping the dregs of the budget — there’s almost nothing left
We’re using up the very last of our funds — there’s hardly anything remaining.
Learner Examples
★
By the end of a long teaching day, teachers are often running on the dregs of their patience and energy
By the close of lengthy classroom hours, instructors are frequently operating on the very last of their tolerance and strength.
★
When exam season arrives, students survive on the dregs of sleep and too much caffeine
When the testing period comes, learners get by on minimal rest and excessive amounts of coffee.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
1 items Idioms & Expressionsthe dregs of society — people considered lowest in status
He called them the dregs of society, which was incredibly rude.
Synonyms & Antonyms
6 items
Synonymsresidue
what's left at the bottom
remains
the last bits of something
sediment
particles settled at the bottom
leftovers
what nobody else wanted
Antonymscream
the best part — cream of the crop
pick
the best selection available