eyelet

[ ahy-lit ]

noun

1. a small hole, usually round and finished along the edge, as in cloth or leather for the passage of a lace or cord or as in embroidery for ornamental effect.
2. a lightweight fabric pierced by small holes finished with stitching and often laid out in flowerlike designs.
3. a metal ring for lining a small hole; grommet.
4. an eyehole in a wall, mask, etc.
5. Also oylet. (in medieval architecture) a small aperture in a wall used as a window or loophole.
6. a small eye.

verb (used with object)

, eye·let·ed or eye·let·ted, eye·let·ing or eye·let·ting.

1. to make an eyelet in.
2. to insert metal eyelets in.

eyelet

/ ˈaɪlɪt /

noun

1. a small hole for a lace or cord to be passed through or for a hook to be inserted into
2. a small metal ring or tube with flared ends bent back, reinforcing an eyehole in fabric
3. a chink or small opening, such as a peephole in a wall
4. embroidery
   1. a small hole with finely stitched edges, forming part of an ornamental pattern
   2. Also calledeyelet embroidery a piece of embroidery decorated with such work
5. fabric decorated with such work produced by machine
6. a small eye or eyelike marking

verb

1. tr to supply with an eyelet or eyelets

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyelet¹

1350–1400; Middle English oillet < Old French oillet, equivalent to oill eye (< Latin oculus; ocular ) + -et -et; influenced by eye

Word History and Origins

Origin of eyelet¹

C14: from Old French oillet, literally: a little eye, from oill eye, from Latin oculus eye; see eye ¹

Example Sentences

You’ve probably seen its Buckle Ballerina flat everywhere, and this fall it’s launching a new silhouette that blends the delicate, feminine charm of a ballerina shoe with Ganni’s signature eyelet hardware.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eyelet Bow Ballerina flat comes in shiny red, black patent and dark denim options, making it the most versatile style for fall.

From Los Angeles Times

A Zana Bayne piece feels structural to the point of sculptural — a leather crystal-studded corset flaring with hip ruffles that unfold like an accordion; a lace-up corset eyelet skirt that creates a soft, voluptuous curve line away from the body.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a Junya Watanabe set from spring 2005 ready-to-wear— a black eyelet top and skirt with silver snap button closures that Leon worked with stylist Aly Cooper to choose.

From Los Angeles Times

The aglet goes through the eyelet.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• break
• crack
• crater
• cut
• dent
• gap
• mouth
• pit
• pocket
• tunnel
• void
• window