2 syllables: la, cy. Stress on la.
LAY-see
/ˈleɪsi/
lacy is pronounced LAY-see (/ˈleɪsi/). It has two syllables (la-cy), with the stress on "la". Lacy is an adjective describing something made of or resembling lace, or someone with a delicate, intricate, or fine-quality appearance. It can also describe fabric patterns or textures that are airy, decorative, or finely woven. In extended use, it can imply fragility or sophistication, depending on context.
Lacy is an adjective describing something made of or resembling lace, or someone with a delicate, intricate, or fine-quality appearance. It can also describe fabric patterns or textures that are airy, decorative, or finely woven. In extended use, it can imply fragility or sophistication, depending on context.
- You might skip or blur the diphthong in the first syllable, producing something closer to /ˈlɪsi/ or /ˈleysi without the true /eɪ/ glide. Tip: exaggerate the diphthong gently at first, then soften to a natural glide as you speed up. - The middle /s/ can become a z-sound when you voice it in rapid speech or neighboring voiced sounds. Practice keeping the /s/ voiceless before the /i/. - The final /i/ can be pronounced as a long /iː/ in careful speech or reduced to a schwa in casual speech. Aim for a crisp short /i/; in slower speech, avoid elongating it. - Stress and rhythm mistakes: the word should start with a strong syllable; ensure you don’t give the second syllable undue weight. Practicing with emphasized /ˈleɪ/ helps maintain proper rhythm.
"The curtains looked lacy and light, fluttering with every breeze."
"She wore a lacy blouse that added a feminine, intricate touch to her outfit."
"The lace trim gave the dress a delicate, vintage charm."
You say it as LEI-see with two syllables and primary stress on the first: IPA US/UK/AU: /ˈleɪsi/. The first vowel is the long A [eɪ], the second is a short, unstressed [i]. Think 'lay' + 'see' quickly but distinctly. In careful speech you’ll hear a crisp onset consonant /l/ followed by the open syllable nucleus /eɪ/ and a light /s/ before the final /i/.
Common errors: (1) Reducing the first syllable to a quick /lɛ/ or /lə/ by not fully releasing the /eɪ/; (2) Softening the /s/ into a z-like sound in flaps or rapid speech; (3) Ending with an overdamped /i/ or a schwa. Correction: enunciate the /eɪ/ clearly as a diphthong, keep /l/ firm at onset, articulate /s/ as a voiceless fricative before /i/, and ensure the final /i/ is short and crisp, not a prolonged vowel.
US/UK/AU share /ˈleɪ.si/. In American English, the /r/ is not involved here and the /i/ is a near-close front unrounded vowel; in British English, the vowels are similar but the /ɪ/ in unstressed positions can be a bit shorter; Australian often exhibits a slightly more centralized /i/ and non-rhoticity isn't relevant here since there’s no /r/. The main distinction is vowel quality and the subtle length of the first diphthong before the final /i/ across regions.
Difficulties stem from two linked facts: the diphthong /eɪ/ requires a precise glide from /e/ to /ɪ/ within a short window, and the final /i/ must be clipped rather than extended in casual speech. The /s/ position between them can also blur in rapid speech. Mastery comes from practicing the full two-syllable rhythm and keeping the mouth relaxed but precise in the transition between the /eɪ/ and /i/.
No. In standard English, 'lacy' is two-syllable with the second syllable clearly pronounced as /si/ or /siː/ depending on speed, stress, and regional vowels. The pronunciation requires an audible final /i/ and not a silent or reduced second syllable. Maintaining a full final vowel helps preserve the intended meaning and avoids confusion with similar words like 'lace' or 'laze-ies' in rapid speech.
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- US: /ˈleɪ.si/ with a clear, slightly drawn-out first syllable; make sure the /eɪ/ glides into a short /i/. The /s/ remains voiceless before /i/. - UK: similar to US but can sound a touch crisper; pay attention to less vowel length in the second syllable; keep rhoticity non-existent here as it’s not a rhotic word. - AU: often a slightly more centralized final vowel; keep the final /i/ crisp and short, with a subtle forward placement of the tongue; maintain non-rhotic feel to the second syllable. IPA reminders: /ˈleɪ.si/ across regions, with small vowel quality shifts.
The word lacy comes from lace, the delicate fabric known for its open weblike pattern. Lace itself originated in Europe, with early examples in Italy and Flanders, where needlework and bobbin lace were highly developed in the 15th–16th centuries. The English adjective lacy emerged in the 19th century to describe objects made of lace or decorated with lace-like quality. The sense extended to describe anything intricate or finely detailed, evoking the light, airy qualities associated with lace. The term often carries connotations of femininity and delicacy in fashion and interior design, transitioning from textiles to broader descriptive use. First known written appearances appear in fashion catalogs and literature of the Victorian era, where lace motifs were emblematic of refinement and elegance. Over time, lacy has retained its core sense of delicate ornamentation, while in modern usage it can also imply a certain decorative or ornate complexity beyond fabric. The evolution reflects broader cultural associations with lace as a symbol of craftsmanship, texture, and visual intricacy.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "lacy" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "lacy" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "lacy"
-cey sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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