Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cord or string used to fasten a shoe: A "shoelace" is a long, thin piece of material, typically with a stiff end (an aglet), that is threaded through eyelets or hooks on a shoe to tighten and secure it.

Usage

• The primary function of a shoelace is to fasten footwear.
• It is typically made of cotton, polyester, nylon, or leather.
• The act of tightening and tying a shoelace is called "tying your shoes."

Examples

• Noun:
  • Your shoelace is untied.
  • He bought a new pair of red shoelaces for his sneakers.
  • The child is learning how to tie his shoelaces.

Advanced Usage

• "to tie one's shoelaces": The standard phrase for fastening shoes.
  • Every morning, she ties her shoelaces before leaving the house.
• "shoelace loop": Refers to the loop formed when tying a bow.
  • Make sure both shoelace loops are the same size.

Variants and Related Words

• Lace (n): A more general term for a cord used for fastening, which can be used for shoes (synonymous with shoelace), clothing, or other items.
  • She needs new laces for her boots.
• Aglet (n): The plastic or metal tip at the end of a shoelace.
  • The aglet on my shoelace broke, making it hard to thread.

Synonyms

• Shoestring: A synonym for shoelace, especially in American English.
  • I need to replace the shoestrings on my running shoes.
• Lace: As defined above.

Related Phrases

• "to be on a shoestring budget": An idiom meaning to operate with a very small amount of money. (Note: This uses a variant, "shoestring," not the target word "shoelace" directly).
  • They started the company on a shoestring budget.

Noun

1. a lace used for fastening shoes