What does relacing mean?
Relacing means replacing the lace on a shoe, boot, or similar item, or fastening something with a lace again. It is especially common in contexts involving footwear: a person may spend time relacing running shoes, boots, or hiking shoes before an activity. The word can imply either renewal, when an old or damaged lace is replaced, or the simpler action of fastening the item securely again. It is slightly more specific than tying or fastening because it normally involves a cord passed through eyelets or another lace system. Relacing can also refer to repairing or renewing the laces of tents, sports equipment, and other objects that use a similar design.
To put a new lace on something or replace its existing laces.
"He is relacing his boots before setting out on the hike."
Most commonly used with shoes, boots, and other footwear.
To fasten or lace something again.
"They spent several minutes relacing the tent after the wind loosened it."
This sense emphasizes the action of fastening rather than replacing a damaged lace.
A single worn shoelace can turn into a fresh shoe: relacing replaces the old cord while renewing the fit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does relacing come from?
Relacing is formed from the verb relace, meaning to lace again or to put a new lace on something. The word lace ultimately comes through Old French from Latin laqueus, meaning a noose or snare. The same Latin root is reflected in cognates such as lasso, while related forms developed through French include lattice.
Related word forms
How relacing is actually used
Relacing is most often used for shoes, boots, and other footwear. It can describe either replacing the laces or fastening an item again, so the surrounding context usually clarifies which meaning is intended.
Easily confused with relacing
Relacing means fastening or replacing a lace, whereas releasing means allowing something to become free or be let go.