Lacy
ˈleɪsi
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving the appearance or characteristics of lace; delicate, ornamental, or intricate.
ˈleɪsi
Resembling or made of lace.
The bride's wedding gown was lacy and elegant.
💡 Simply: Lacy is like something made of beautiful, delicate, open fabric, like fancy curtains or a pretty dress. Imagine a delicate design with lots of tiny holes, like the lace on your grandma's doilies or the patterns in a wedding dress. It's often used to describe things that are pretty and fancy with a lot of detail.
👶 For kids: Like something that looks like lace! It's fancy and has tiny holes.
More Examples
The antique tablecloth had a lacy edge.
She bought a lacy scarf to complete her outfit.
How It's Used
"She wore a lacy white dress to the garden party."
"The windows were adorned with lacy curtains."
Characterized by delicate, intricate, or ornamental patterns or arrangements, even if not literally made of lace.
ˈleɪsi
Having a delicate or intricate pattern or arrangement.
The spider's web had a lacy design.
💡 Simply: It's used to describe a pattern or design that has lots of fine details and looks delicate. Imagine the way snowflakes fall or the detailed brushstrokes in a painting; the way the delicate leaves on a branch are formed.
👶 For kids: When things have lots of pretty little designs and patterns, like leaves in the tree or when snowflakes form beautiful crystals.
More Examples
The frost on the window formed a lacy pattern.
The branches of the tree created a lacy silhouette against the sky.
How It's Used
"The lacy pattern of the snowflakes was mesmerizing."
"The artist created a lacy effect with the brushstrokes."
From 'lace', referring to decorative openwork fabric, + '-y'. The adjective emerged in the 17th century to describe something resembling lace or having a quality of delicate ornamentation.
The word 'lacy' has been used since the 17th century to describe things resembling or made of lace. It has often been associated with elegance and refinement.
Memory tip
Think of intricate lace patterns to remember the word's meaning.
Word Origin
"From 'lace', itself from Old French 'laz' (cord, lace)"