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

Her living room walls are lined with old-timey lace-up heels that she says were only ever worn by Bette Midler, as she was the only actor with feet small enough to wear them.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 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

She points down to a pair of white lace-up shoes on her feet — something they gave her.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2023

In the costume design, Toni-Leslie James strikes a satisfying balance between formal high-waisted skirts and black lace-up boots, and the splashy wide-brimmed hats have enough ribbons and feathers to make a Southern churchgoer swoon.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2022

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