ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lace

n. · v.
US //ˈɫeɪs// UK //lˈeɪs// lace
  1. 1 decorative fabric (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a delicate cloth made of thread in a pattern with many small holes.

    a fine, openwork decorative fabric made by looping, twisting, or knitting thread in patterns.

    Example

    The bride's dress was covered in beautiful white lace.

    Example

    The antique tablecloth featured intricate handmade lace that had been passed down through several generations of the family.
  2. 2 shoe string (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a string or cord used to tie shoes or clothes together.

    a cord or string used for drawing together the edges of shoes or garments by being passed through eyelets.

    Example

    He bent down to tie his loose lace before he tripped.

    Example

    The athlete tightened his laces securely to ensure his feet wouldn't slide inside his shoes during the sprint.
Show 3 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to tie shoes (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to pull a string through holes to close a shoe or piece of clothing.

    to fasten or tighten a garment or shoe by pulling a cord through eyelets.

    Example

    She carefully laced her new boots all the way to the top.

    Example

    The Victorian corset required a second person to help lace the back tightly enough to achieve the desired silhouette.
    • unlace
    • untie
  2. 4 to add a substance (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to add a small amount of alcohol, a drug, or a strong flavour to a drink or food.

    to add a small amount of a powerful substance—such as alcohol, drugs, or poison—to food or drink, often secretly.

    Example

    The holiday punch was laced with a little bit of rum.

    Example

    The detective suspected that the victim's coffee had been laced with a sedative shortly before the robbery took place.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'with'.
  3. 5 to mix or interweave (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    to mix one thing through another, like adding specific words into a speech.

    to intersperse or diversify something with another element; to weave together.

    Example

    His speech was laced with jokes that made everyone laugh.

    Example

    The author's prose was laced with subtle metaphors that only a careful reader would fully appreciate.
Etymology 1

From Middle English lace, laace, las, from Old French las, from Vulgar Latin *laceum, based on Latin laqueus. Doublet of lasso.

Etymology 2

From Middle English lacen, lasen, from Old French lacer, lacier, lasser, lachier, from the noun (see above).

© 2026 English Reference