Lace vs. Ribbon — What's the Difference?

Lace is a delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Generally, lace is divided into two main categories, needlelace and bobbin lace.

A ribbon or riband is a thin band of material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily as decorative binding and tying. Cloth ribbons are made of natural materials such as silk, cotton, and jute and of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon, and polypropylene.

A cord or ribbon used to draw and tie together two opposite edges, as of a shoe.

A narrow strip or band of fabric, especially a fine fabric such as satin or velvet, finished at the edges and used for trimming, tying, or finishing.

A delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern. Also called lacework.

Something, such as a tape measure, that resembles a ribbon.

Gold or silver braid ornamenting an officer's uniform.

A long thin strip

To thread a cord through the eyelets or around the hooks of.

Ribbons Tattered or ragged strips

To draw together and tie the laces of.

An inked strip of cloth used for making an impression, as in a typewriter.

To restrain or constrict by tightening laces, especially of a corset.

A band of colored cloth signifying membership in an order or the award of a prize.

To pull or pass through; intertwine

A strip of colored cloth worn on the left breast of a uniform to indicate the award of a medal or decoration.

To trim or decorate with or as if with lace.

Ribbons(Informal) Reins for driving horses.

To add a touch of flavor to

See ledger board.

To add a substance, especially an intoxicant or narcotic, to

To decorate or tie with ribbons.

To add or intersperse with something in order to produce a certain effect

To tear into ribbons or shreds.

To streak with color.

A long, narrow strip of material used for decoration of clothing or the hair or gift wrapping.

To give a beating to; thrash

An awareness ribbon.

To be fastened or tied with laces or a lace.

An inked strip of material against which type is pressed to print letters in a typewriter or printer.

(uncountable) A light fabric containing patterns of holes, usually built up from a single thread. ^Wp

A narrow strip or shred.

(countable) A cord or ribbon passed through eyelets in a shoe or garment, pulled tight and tied to fasten the shoe or garment firmly. ^Wp

(cooking) In ice cream and similar confections, an ingredient (often chocolate, butterscotch, caramel, or fudge) added in a long narrow strip.

A snare or gin, especially one made of interwoven cords; a net.

(shipbuilding) ribband

Spirits added to coffee or another beverage.

(nautical) A painted moulding on the side of a ship.

(ergative) To fasten (something) with laces.

A watchspring.

(transitive) To add alcohol, poison, a drug or anything else potentially harmful to (food or drink).

A bandsaw.

(transitive) To interweave items.

Reins for a horse.

(transitive) To interweave the spokes of a bicycle wheel.

(heraldry) A bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.

(transitive) To beat; to lash; to make stripes on.

(spinning) A sliver.

(transitive) To adorn with narrow strips or braids of some decorative material.

(journalism) A subheadline presented above its parent headline.

That which binds or holds, especially by being interwoven; a string, cord, or band, usually one passing through eyelet or other holes, and used in drawing and holding together parts of a garment, of a shoe, of a machine belt, etc.

A toolbar that incorporates tabs and menus.

A snare or gin, especially one made of interwoven cords; a net.

(transitive) To decorate with ribbon.

A fabric of fine threads of linen, silk, cotton, etc., often ornamented with figures; a delicate tissue of thread, much worn as an ornament of dress.

(transitive) To stripe or streak.

Spirits added to coffee or some other beverage.

A fillet or narrow woven fabric, commonly of silk, used for trimming some part of a woman's attire, for badges, and other decorative purposes.

To fasten with a lace; to draw together with a lace passed through eyelet holes; to unite with a lace or laces, or, figuratively. with anything resembling laces.

A narrow strip or shred; as, a steel or magnesium ribbon; sails torn to ribbons.

To adorn with narrow strips or braids of some decorative material; as, cloth laced with silver.

Same as Rib-band.

To beat; to lash; to make stripes on.

Driving reins.

To add something to (a food or beverage) so as to impart flavor, pungency, or some special quality; as, to lace a punch with alcohol; to lace the Kool-Aid with LSD.

A bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.

To twine or draw as a lace; to interlace; to intertwine.

A silver.

To be fastened with a lace, or laces; as, these boots lace.

To adorn with, or as with, ribbons; to mark with stripes resembling ribbons.

A cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks in order to draw together two edges (as of a shoe or garment)

Any long object resembling a thin line;

A delicate decorative fabric woven in an open web of symmetrical patterns

An award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event

Spin or twist together so as to form a cord;

A long strip of inked material for making characters on paper with a typewriter

Make by braiding or interlacing;

Notion consisting of a narrow strip of fine material used for trimming

Do lacework;

Draw through eyes or holes;

Add alcohol beverages