2 syllables: la, ces. Stress on la.
/ˈleɪsəz/
Say it backLaces is the plural noun or verb form related to lace, meaning either multiple decorative cords or the act of threading cords through eyelets. As a noun, it refers to shoe laces or ornamental trimmings; as a verb, it means to thread or fasten with laces. The pronunciation centers on a single-syllable with a voiced final s in most contexts, though linked speech can alter final retention.
"- He tied the laces of his sneakers before running."
"- The concert’s stage decor featured velvet laces as trimmings."
"- She laces her boots tightly to keep them secure during hiking."
Pronounce as /ˈleɪsɪz/ in US/UK/AU. The first syllable bears primary stress: /ˈleɪ/ (the long /eɪ/ as in ‘lay’) followed by a quick /sɪz/ with the final /z/ keeping voicing. In rapid speech, you may hear a slight reduction of the /ɪ/ to a schwa, but keep the /z/ voiceless voice? Actually /z/ is voiced. Practically: lips rounded slightly for /eɪ/, tip of tongue close to the alveolar ridge for /s/, voice continues into /ɪz/.
Two common errors are: misplacing the /l/ or delaying the /eɪ/ sound, making it sound like /leɪzɪz/ or /leɪsɪz/ without the extra syllable. Another is de-voicing the final /z/ to /s/ in careful styles, yielding /ˈleɪsɪs/. Correct by keeping the /z/ voicing steady and ensuring the /ɪ/ between /s/ and /z/ is clearly articulated.
US and UK both favor /ˈleɪsɪz/, but US connected speech may flatten vowels slightly and engage more linking with surrounding words; AU tends to be non-rhotic in careful speech but often maintains /r/ unwinding only in certain combinations. The /ɪ/ may sound shorter in fast US speech and slightly longer in careful UK speech.
The challenge lies in maintaining voicing on the final /z/ when connected to voiceless surrounding sounds; as well as ensuring the diphthong /eɪ/ is accurate in mouth shape and duration. You also need to avoid turning /ɪ/ into a schwa in fast speech, which can blur syllable boundaries and reduce clarity.
Laces is a one-syllable noun in most uses, but when used as a verb you may hear a two-syllable rhythm in phrases like ‘lacing up’ where the verb portion can have light secondary stress on ‘la-.’ The word typically carries primary stress on the first syllable in noun form (/ˈleɪsɪz/), and the syllable boundary is clean and quick.
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Laces derives from the Old French word lacier, used to describe the act of tying or binding with strings or cords, and ultimately from Latin laciare “to bind with cords,” linked to lacere “to fasten” in some lexical histories. In Middle English, lace referred both to the material decorative trim and to a thong or tie; the sense broadened to include the cords used to tie footwear and garments. The noun senses for decorative piping and string decoration likely evolved from its practical origins, with the verb usage generalizing to act of threading and tying through eyelets. The word’s first known English attestations appear in medieval texts where lacing was essential in armor and clothing, but the specific term connoted the functional cord before it took on decorative implications in fashion and shoes. By Early Modern English, lace had become a stable term for both material lace and the act of lacing, with figurative uses expanding in crafts and design. In contemporary usage, lace as a plural remains common in both footwear, garments, and decorative tying contexts, while the verb maintains a straightforward action meaning, including athletic, fashion, and binding applications. The semantic trajectory thus moves from practical binding toward ornamentation and fashion, while retaining its core root concept of threading through openings and tying off with a knot or bow.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "laces" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "laces" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "laces"
-ces sounds
-ses sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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