Jump To:

• lace-up
  lace-up

  noun

  anything that laces up, especially a boot with shoelaces that lace up from the vamp to the top of the boot.
• lace up
  lace up

  verb

  (tr, adverb) to tighten or fasten (clothes or footwear) with laces

lace-up

American  

[lays-uhp] / ˈleɪsˌʌp /

noun

1. anything that laces up, especially a boot with shoelaces that lace up from the vamp to the top of the boot.

---

adjective

1. having a lace that is laced up as a closure.

   a lace-up blouse.

lace up British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to tighten or fasten (clothes or footwear) with laces

---

adjective

1. (of footwear) to be fastened with laces

noun

1. a lace-up shoe or boot

Etymology

Origin of lace-up

First recorded in 1830–40; noun and adj. use of verb phrase lace up

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lace-up lace up

She took off her white coat to reveal a second outfit, this time a deep maroon dress with a lace-up back.

From BBC ● May 4, 2026

She steers brides who are taking GLP-1s toward more forgiving silhouettes, for instance suggesting dresses with adjustable lace-up backs instead of zippers, and prefers cuts that flare at the waist to help mask weight fluctuations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026

From her Swarovski-adorned custom Armani Privé strapless gown at the Golden Globe Awards to her lace-up navy Schiaparelli corset dress at the Critics Choice Awards, Moore has ruled awards season thus far.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 23, 2025

For the last few years, every pair of men’s lace-up shoes I’ve purchased has had some messed-up laces.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 12, 2023

We stood out among these city sophisticates in their sturdy lace-up shoes or good-looking pumps.

From "I Will Always Write Back" by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

Fairs says she has received thousands of messages from women about how her content has encouraged them to lace up their trainers, and believes recent trends of female success in ultra-running are just the start.

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

Harding challenged Dudamel to a race around the bases, but before the pair could lace up their cleats, Dudamel quickly told him, “You will win.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026

He suggests reading between the lines: If an email offers a starting time for sign-ups, but no end time, it may be because organizers expect things to go quickly, suggesting it’s time to lace up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 8, 2026

So lace up your walking shoes, throw on some shades and start strutting to the beat of this playlist.

From New York Times ● May 21, 2024

"Actually, they're designed that way. You don't need to lace up."

From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---