lace in

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To fasten or tighten something, especially shoes or boots, by pulling and tying its laces.

   Grammar: Can be used with an object: lace in your boots, or without an object when the context is clear: These boots are hard to lace in.

   Patterns

   • lace in something
   • lace something in
   • lace in

   She sat on the bench and laced in her running shoes before the race.

   It took him a few minutes to lace in his hiking boots properly.

   The child struggled to lace in the new skates by herself.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To add a lace or laces to a garment or piece of footwear, often as a decoration or repair.

   Grammar: Used with an object: lace in a new panel, lace in the missing eyelet.

   Patterns

   • lace in something
   • lace something in

   The tailor had to lace in a new section of fabric to make the dress fit.

   You can lace in colorful ribbons to give the shoes a unique look.

Word forms

Common combinations

lace in a shoe

He quickly laced in his left shoe and ran out the door.

lace in boots

Before hiking, make sure you lace in your boots tightly.

lace in skates

The figure skater laced in her skates with precision.

lace in tightly

She laced in her corset tightly to achieve the desired shape.

Synonyms and how they differ

lace up

More common and often used interchangeably, but 'lace up' can also mean to close or fasten with laces, while 'lace in' emphasizes putting the laces into the holes or tightening them.

tie

General word for fastening with string or rope; 'lace in' is specific to shoes or garments with laces.

Opposites

Word family

lace noun

A thin cord used to fasten shoes or clothing.

lacing noun

The act of fastening with laces, or the laces themselves.

Commonly confused: lace in or lace into?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “lace in”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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