Meaning & use
lace-up shoes
Last updated
Meaning
nounplural
Shoes that are fastened with laces, as opposed to slip-on or Velcro shoes.
Grammar: Plural noun; for one item, say 'a lace-up shoe'.
Patterns
- a pair of lace-up shoes
- wear lace-up shoes
- lace-up shoes with a suit
He wore smart lace-up shoes to the interview.
These lace-up shoes are more secure than slip-ons for hiking.
She prefers lace-up shoes because they fit better.
Word forms
| singular | lace-up shoe |
|---|
Common combinations
- black lace-up shoes
- Black lace-up shoes are part of the school uniform.
- leather lace-up shoes
- He bought a pair of leather lace-up shoes.
- smart lace-up shoes
- For formal occasions, smart lace-up shoes are expected.
- comfortable lace-up shoes
- These comfortable lace-up shoes are good for walking all day.
Synonyms and how they differ
- oxfords
- A specific style of lace-up shoes, usually formal; 'lace-up shoes' is a broader term for any shoes with laces.
- tie shoes
- Informal term for lace-up shoes, especially in American English.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: lace-up shoes or lace-up boots?
lace-up shoes vs lace-up boots
Boots that fasten with laces; similar but cover the ankle, whereas shoes do not.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'lace-up shoes' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Lace-up shoes' is plural, so it takes a plural verb and cannot be used with 'a'. 'A pair of lace-up shoes' is correct. Option A uses 'a' with a plural noun; option C does the same; option D uses a singular verb with a plural noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “lace-up shoes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.