lace

1 of 2

verb

ˈlās 

laced; lacing

transitive verb

1

: to draw together the edges of by or as if by a lace passed through eyelets

laces her fingers behind her head

2

: to draw or pass (something, such as a lace) through something (such as eyelets)

3

: to confine or compress by tightening laces of a garment

4

a

: to adorn with or as if with lace

the surrounding countryside was laced with villages and hamlets

—L. C. Heinemann

b

: to mark with streaks of color

5

: beat, lash

6

a

: to add a dash of liquor to

b

: to add something to impart pungency, savor, or zest to

a sauce laced with garlic

conversation laced with sarcasm

c

: to adulterate with a substance

laced a guard's coffee with a sedative

intransitive verb

1

: to admit of being tied or fastened with a lace

2

: to make a verbal attack

—usually used with into

his boss laced into him for being late

lacer noun

lace

2 of 2

noun

1

: a cord or string used for drawing together two edges (as of a garment or a shoe)

2

: an ornamental braid for trimming coats or uniforms

3

: an openwork usually figured fabric made of thread or yarn and used for trimmings, household coverings, and entire garments

laced

ˈlāst 

adjective

laceless

ˈlās-ləs 

adjective

lacelike

ˈlās-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• enlace
• entwine
• implicate [archaic]
• interlace
• intertwine
• intertwist
• interweave
• inweave
• ply
• twist
• weave
• wreathe
• writhe

Noun

• cable
• cord
• lacing
• line
• rope
• string
• wire

Examples of lace in a Sentence

Verb

a dress that laces in the back

the gardener laced the shoots of ivy around the trellis to direct their growth

Noun

I need new laces for these shoes.

She wore lace on her wedding gown.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While Trump's efforts to denigrate scientific experts were laced with his characteristic conspiracism and drama, many Americans may nevertheless share his views. —Matt Motta, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024

Lopez also wore black ballet flats that laced up her ankles and featured small pearl details that matched the buttons on her sweater. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Noun

The lace cookies are great on their own, but my grandmother always topped hers with powdered sugar. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2024

In lieu of laces, two adjustable dials allow wearers to finetune their fit. —Ashley Mateo, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French lacer, from Latin laqueare to ensnare, from laqueus

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French lace, laz, from Latin laqueus snare

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lace

• Brussels lace
• Chantilly lace
• lace-curtain
• lace-up
• pillow lace
• point lace
• Queen Anne's lace

Kids Definition

lace

1 of 2 verb

ˈlās 

laced; lacing

1

: to fasten or join with or as if with a lace

laced her shoes

2

: to adorn with or as if with lace

3

: intertwine, thread

lace the ribbon through the holes

4

: beat entry 1 sense 1a, lash

lace

2 of 2 noun

1

: a cord or string for drawing together two edges (as of a shoe)

2

: an ornamental braid for trimming coats or uniforms

3

: a fine open-worked fabric of thread or cord used chiefly for ornament of dress

laced

ˈlāst 

adjective

lacelike

ˈlā-ˌslīk 

adjective

Etymology

Noun

Middle English las, lace "a string used to draw together two edges of material," from early French laz (same meaning), from Latin laqueus "noose, snare" — related to lash entry 3, lasso entry 1

Word Origin

When the ancient Romans wanted to trap a small animal, such as a rabbit, they used a loop of light rope laid on the ground in its path. A triggering device was used to tighten the loop around the animal. They called such a loop or noose laqueus, which became laz in early French. The English borrowed it as las in the 14th century. They used it to refer to a cord that holds something together by weaving, as a shoelace. Finally, it came to mean the delicate fabric made by weaving and knotting thin strands of material.