OpenSynonym

lace

/leɪs/

NOUN

1. Decorative fabric with intricate patterns

A delicate ornamental fabric made by interlacing, looping, or knotting threads to create decorative patterns with open spaces or holes.

1.1. Textiles and decorative clothing

Refers to delicate patterned fabric used to decorate garments, veils, dresses, curtains, and other textile products.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The delicate fabric of her dress was adorned with intricate lace patterns.
  • She wore a vintage veil decorated with elegant lace on her wedding day.
  • The designer incorporated handmade lace into the wedding gown.

Related Words

NOUN

2. A cord used for fastening

A thin cord, string, or ribbon threaded through holes or eyelets and tied to secure or fasten clothing, footwear, or other objects.

2.1. Shoes and footwear

Refers to a cord threaded through eyelets in shoes or boots and tightened or tied to keep the footwear securely on the feet.

Synonyms

  • shoelace
  • shoestring
  • string
  • cord

Examples

  • He replaced the broken lace on his running shoe.
  • The child struggled to tie his shoelaces before leaving for school.

Related Words

NOUN

3. An interwoven net or snare

A net, trap, or snare formed from interconnected cords or threads woven together to catch or restrain something.

3.1. Traps and netting

Describes an arrangement of interwoven cords or threads used as a net or snare for catching, trapping, or restraining animals or objects.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The hunter inspected the woven net used as a snare.
  • The small animal became entangled in the cord netting.

Related Words

  • mesh
  • cordage
  • rope
  • web
  • knot
  • entanglement
  • binding

VERB

4. To fasten with a cord or string

To secure or tighten something by threading a cord, string, or lace through openings and tying it firmly.

4.1. Fastening shoes and clothing

Used when securing footwear, garments, or other items by threading cords through eyelets, holes, or loops and tying them.

Synonyms

  • tie
  • bind
  • fasten
  • secure
  • string
  • do up

Antonyms

Examples

  • He decided to lace up his shoes tightly before the long run.
  • She laced the front of her dress before attending the event.
  • The hiker carefully laced his boots before climbing the mountain.

Related Words

VERB

5. To interweave or intertwine

To arrange, combine, or connect separate strands, threads, or objects by weaving or intertwining them together.

5.1. Threads, strands, and materials

Used to describe weaving or intertwining threads, cords, fibers, or other flexible materials into a connected or decorative arrangement.

Synonyms

  • interweave
  • interlace
  • intertwine
  • weave
  • braid
  • plait
  • entwine
  • twine
  • mesh

Antonyms

Examples

  • The artisan carefully laced the colorful threads together to create an intricate pattern.
  • She laced strands of ribbon through the decorative framework.
  • The craftsman laced the thin cords into a strong woven structure.

Related Words

5.2. Bicycle wheel construction

Refers specifically to arranging and connecting the spokes of a bicycle wheel by crossing and threading them between the hub and rim in a particular pattern.

Synonyms

  • interweave
  • interlace
  • thread
  • weave

Antonyms

Examples

  • The mechanic carefully laced the bicycle wheel spokes before tightening them.
  • He learned how to lace a wheel using a traditional three-cross spoke pattern.

Related Words

  • spokes
  • hub
  • rim
  • wheel
  • crossing pattern
  • wheelbuilding

VERB

6. To add alcohol or another substance to food or drink

To introduce an additional substance, such as alcohol, a drug, poison, or flavoring, into food or a beverage, often to alter its taste or effects.

6.1. Alcoholic additions to beverages

Used when adding liquor or another alcoholic drink to coffee, tea, or other beverages to give them an alcoholic content or distinctive flavor.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • She decided to lace the coffee with a little brandy.
  • The bartender laced the hot chocolate with rum to create a warming winter drink.

Related Words

  • liquor
  • spirits
  • alcohol
  • cocktail
  • beverage
  • flavoring
  • infusion

6.2. Drugs, poison, and harmful substances

Used when secretly or deliberately introducing drugs, poison, or other potentially harmful substances into food or drink, sometimes to deceive or harm someone.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • Someone had laced the drink with a powerful sedative.
  • The investigators discovered that the food had been laced with poison.

Related Words

6.3. Flavoring and seasoning food

Used when adding spices, herbs, or other flavoring ingredients to food or beverages to give them a stronger or more distinctive taste.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The chef laced the sauce with aromatic herbs and spices.
  • She laced the soup with a hint of garlic to enhance its flavor.

Related Words

  • seasoning
  • spices
  • herbs
  • condiment
  • aroma
  • flavoring
  • ingredient

VERB

7. To beat or strike repeatedly

To strike, hit, or beat someone or something repeatedly, often with a whip, strap, or similar implement.

7.1. Physical beating and punishment

Used to describe repeatedly striking or whipping a person or animal, particularly as an act of punishment or physical assault.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The angry coach threatened to lace the players for their poor performance.
  • The historical account described how prisoners were laced with leather straps as punishment.

Related Words

7.2. Marking with repeated stripes or blows

Used when repeated strokes or blows leave visible stripes, marks, or lines across a surface or someone's body.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The repeated strokes laced his back with painful red marks.
  • The whip laced the surface with long, visible stripes.

Related Words

VERB

8. To decorate with ornamental material

To embellish or enhance something by adding narrow decorative strips, braids, borders, or other ornamental details.

8.1. Clothing and decorative textiles

Used when adding decorative strips, braided edges, or ornamental fabric to garments and textiles to improve their appearance.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The tailor laced the sleeves of the jacket with decorative gold braid.
  • The designer laced the edges of the dress with delicate ornamental fabric.
  • She laced the curtains with decorative ribbons to create an elegant finish.

Related Words