laced; lacing
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
L. C. Heinemann
b
: to mark with streaks of color
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
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
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
Synonyms
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 WebKen Dilanian, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
The classic boots have a waterproof rubber duck shell, a warm microfleece lining, a slip-resistant rubber sole for wet and dry traction, and rawhide barrel lacing.
—Kayla Kitts, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Tiffani Evans laced her fingers with the women clothed in all black.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023
The soy wax candle has an impressive 60-hour burn time and is also laced with coffee beans and vanilla for that chill coffee house type of vibe.
—Michelle Rostamian, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023
Hearty beef and vegetable soup, 30-minute chili, and light, brothy turkey soup laced with lemongrass are some of our favorite fall soups.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2023
Its music video, a cinematic take on childhood laced with arguments and discord, finds Dawson stepping behind the camera, bringing SZA into his intimate and idiosyncratic visual world.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2023
It’s all smoothly punctuated by original interviews with friends, colleagues, supporters and ex-lovers, and laced with excerpts from Hite’s own writings, read by Dakota Johnson.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Snorting, shooting or swallowing something laced with fentanyl can lead to an overdose.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023
Raymond Hall Like sheer lace ensembles, oversized coats that go heavy on the fuzzy factor have been trending for a few years now.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 29 Nov. 2023
To perform the heartfelt ballad, Palmer slipped into a white lace minidress and a matching sheer duster.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Nov. 2023
Stormi wore a high-neck white dress with lace overlay for the special event, with her hair in a high ponytail.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Adjustment is simple, even when you’re all geared up, thanks to the Speed Helix and Boa fit and closure system (a series of stainless steel laces adjustable by simply turning a dial).
—Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023
Made of polyester fleece, the super plush blanket is available in a variety of reversible patterns, including a red and white plaid option with lace trim that’s perfect for the holiday season.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
Muslin and cashmere were much less obvious than billowing lace or tiered ruffles.
—Anne Higonnet, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023
One of the dresses from the Lebanese fashion designer featured a floor-length flowing skirt made from black lace, and the second featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and a long train, both of which were adorned with rose appliqués.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
See More
Verb
Police officers couldn’t save Diamond Lynch, who overdosed in her Washington, D.C., apartment after taking a pill laced with the powerful and dangerous chemical opiate.
—Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
The classic boots have a waterproof rubber duck shell, a warm microfleece lining, a slip-resistant rubber sole for wet and dry traction, and rawhide barrel lacing.
—Kayla Kitts, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Tiffani Evans laced her fingers with the women clothed in all black.
—Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 25 Nov. 2023
The soy wax candle has an impressive 60-hour burn time and is also laced with coffee beans and vanilla for that chill coffee house type of vibe.
—Michelle Rostamian, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023
Hearty beef and vegetable soup, 30-minute chili, and light, brothy turkey soup laced with lemongrass are some of our favorite fall soups.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2023
Its music video, a cinematic take on childhood laced with arguments and discord, finds Dawson stepping behind the camera, bringing SZA into his intimate and idiosyncratic visual world.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2023
It’s all smoothly punctuated by original interviews with friends, colleagues, supporters and ex-lovers, and laced with excerpts from Hite’s own writings, read by Dakota Johnson.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 18 Nov. 2023
Snorting, shooting or swallowing something laced with fentanyl can lead to an overdose.
—John Kelly, Washington Post, 13 Nov. 2023
Noun
Her blazer featured a plunging neckline, with her black lace bra peeking out from the lapels.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 29 Nov. 2023
Raymond Hall Like sheer lace ensembles, oversized coats that go heavy on the fuzzy factor have been trending for a few years now.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 29 Nov. 2023
To perform the heartfelt ballad, Palmer slipped into a white lace minidress and a matching sheer duster.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Nov. 2023
Stormi wore a high-neck white dress with lace overlay for the special event, with her hair in a high ponytail.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
Adjustment is simple, even when you’re all geared up, thanks to the Speed Helix and Boa fit and closure system (a series of stainless steel laces adjustable by simply turning a dial).
—Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023
Made of polyester fleece, the super plush blanket is available in a variety of reversible patterns, including a red and white plaid option with lace trim that’s perfect for the holiday season.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 17 Nov. 2023
Muslin and cashmere were much less obvious than billowing lace or tiered ruffles.
—Anne Higonnet, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023
One of the dresses from the Lebanese fashion designer featured a floor-length flowing skirt made from black lace, and the second featured off-the-shoulder sleeves and a long train, both of which were adorned with rose appliqués.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lace.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of lace was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing lace
Articles Related to lace
Dictionary Entries Near lace
Cite this Entry
“Lace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lace. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
lace
1 of 2 verb
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
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.
More from Merriam-Webster on lace
Nglish: Translation of lace for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lace for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lace
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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