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• 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  

[leys-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.

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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

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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

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

“We can do this. I’m more optimistic than ever. So lace up your Chucks, hit the doors, make room at the table, and let’s get it done.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2024

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

After a week away, mourning the death of his father, the Russian didn’t wait long to lace up his skates and step onto the ice.

From Washington Times • Feb. 22, 2023

Do you dance to the sound of the bagpipes, or lace up the cords of your armor?

From "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a Medieval Village" by Laura Amy Schlitz