What does lace mean?
Lace is a finely made fabric formed from thread arranged in loops, knots, or open patterns. It may also refer to the decorative braid edging a garment or the cord used to fasten a shoe. The word can be used as a verb: to lace something is to secure it with a cord, thread it through loops, or combine it with other elements. Lace is strongly associated with delicacy, decorative craftsmanship, clothing, household textiles, and traditional handwork, although modern lace may be produced by machine. Its history also reveals a less obvious meaning. The word derives from a Latin term for a noose, snare, or cord, so the familiar textile sense developed from more general ideas of looping and binding. Today lace can name the material itself, a finished decorative edging, an item of fastening, or an action involving secure and intricate threading. The word remains useful because it connects an ordinary fastening method with a highly regarded form of decorative textile art.
A fine textile made from thread in an open network of loops or patterns; also a decorative braid, narrow cord, or fastening cord.
"A narrow band of white lace trimmed the collar."
When referring to the material, lace is normally uncountable; countable uses refer to individual pieces, edgings, or fastenings.
To fasten with a lace or cord; thread or draw through loops; or interweave or intersperse with another element.
"She laced the ribbons through the eyelets of her jacket."
The meanings overlap in some contexts: fastening a garment and passing a cord through eyelets are related actions, while the interspersing sense is commonly used with with.
The plural is used for separate pieces of lace, individual edgings, or multiple fastening cords.
"The shop sells ribbons, laces, and other sewing accessories."
Lace began as a word for a noose: its name comes from the Latin laqueus, meaning a snare or cord.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lace come from?
English lace entered through Middle English from Old French lace, ultimately derived from Latin laqueus, meaning a noose or snare. The word's history therefore developed from references to cordage and binding toward the textile and decorative senses familiar today. Related forms include leash, from the same Latin word, and lachet and lacet, historical terms associated with straps or narrow laced fastenings.
Related word forms
How lace is actually used
The noun is standard in British and American English. As a verb, lace can describe fastening, threading, or combining things; in the sense of interspersing, it often takes the particle with, as in lace the design with flowers.
Easily confused with lace
Lace is a fabric, cord, or fastening, whereas to laze means to spend time doing very little.