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

The mix of references, affection and wicked satire — and what Williams fan does not also enjoy Williams spoofs? — was like candy laced with arsenic. —Elisabeth Vincentelli, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024

The key to a good salsa is to hit all the flavor components, and this salsa does just that: Sweet and sharp citrus, laced with skulking chile heat, mingles with spring garlic. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

Finding balance District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, Rep. Mary Belk, as well as Debbie Dalton, a parent whose son, Hunter, died from drugs laced with fentanyl, also spoke at the event. —Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Mar. 2024

For thousands of years, the drink has sometimes been laced with bhang, or crushed marijuana leaves, which add to the mood of revelry. —Hari Kumar, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024

More than 75,000 fans laced up their cowboy boots and attended Bun B’s 2024 RodeoHouston set at NRG Stadium on Tuesday (March 12). —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024

As for shoes, Witherspoon has laced up comfortable Veja sneakers. —Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

No matter how mightily things unraveled a season ago, this lap is about pushing enough of the right buttons to lace up in mid-October. —Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2024

Sussex was a master at lacing seemingly innocent lifestyle guides with genuinely revealing titbits about her life. —Kate Lloyd, Vogue, 17 Mar. 2024

Noun

Additionally, the six-piece capsule was inspired by the power and individuality of the brand’s signature pieces, hence the go-to lace and neutral colors. —Essence, 1 Apr. 2024

Enjoy his fun collaborations with Dapper Dan and Adidas, the sheer lace dresses from his resort 2023 collection in Puglia, and much more. —Irene Kim, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2024

Its neckline and short sleeves are trimmed with eyelet lace, which gives the blouse a luxe look. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024

In collaboration with noblewoman Elizabeth Talbot (widely known as Bess of Hardwick), Mary, Queen of Scots, designed several embroidery and lace patterns. —Pragya Agarwal, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024

The combination of the crepe bodice and chiffon skirt makes this monochromatic dress feel more special for a cocktail attire wedding, and the scalloped lace hem is the perfect finishing touch. —Carly Totten, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2024

Silk chiffon skirt with bow tie neck; silk satin and tulle stretch triangle bra with lace details, both Dolce & Gabbana. —Martha Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 2024

Two different sets of lace and silk, ribbons that were flat enough to cover up the bandages covering the stitches in my sides. —Hazlitt, 13 Mar. 2024

Griffin also shared photos of herself running down the aisle of a plane while wearing a white lace bra on Instagram. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 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
• lace-curtain
• Chantilly lace
• 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.