eyelet
C1Technical/Specialized, Everyday (in specific contexts like clothing, crafts)
Definition
Meaning
A small hole, typically reinforced with metal or a grommet, designed for a lace, cord, or rope to pass through.
It can also refer to the metal or plastic ring reinforcing such a hole, or more broadly to any small, round opening or perforation, often for ventilation, drainage, or decoration.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a concrete noun referring to a physical object/aperture. Usage overlaps with 'grommet' (which is often the reinforcing ring itself). Can be used attributively (e.g., 'eyelet fabric', 'eyelet punch').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is identical. The word 'grommet' is a more common technical synonym in both varieties, but 'eyelet' is preferred in specific domains like shoemaking and certain crafts.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with sewing, shoelaces, corsetry, sailing (for ropes), and ventilation systems. In fashion, 'eyelet' fabric (broderie anglaise) has the same connotation.
Frequency
Similar, relatively low frequency in both. Slightly more common in UK English in the context of 'broderie anglaise' (eyelet embroidery).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N (for N)V (punch/set/insert) N into NN is made of NVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'eyelet']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing/supply contexts for clothing, footwear, or hardware.
Academic
Rare, may appear in historical texts (clothing), engineering (ventilation), or material science.
Everyday
Common in contexts of repairing shoes, lacing a boot, or in craft projects.
Technical
Standard term in tailoring, cobbling, sailing, upholstery, and some mechanical/ventilation engineering.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sailmaker will eyelet the new canvas for the ropes.
- We need to eyelet this banner for the poles.
American English
- She used a tool to eyelet the leather strap.
- The craftsman eyeleted the tarp along the edges.
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare; no standard adverbial use]
American English
- [Extremely rare; no standard adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- She wore an eyelet cotton blouse to the garden party.
- The tent has an eyelet ventilation system.
American English
- Her dress had an eyelet trim along the hem.
- He bought eyelet curtains for the nursery.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My shoe has six eyelets for the laces.
- The flag has eyelets in the corners.
- You need a special tool to put an eyelet in the fabric.
- The air flows through the eyelets in the helmet.
- The vintage corset was fastened through dozens of brass eyelets.
- After punching the hole, he secured it with a metal eyelet to prevent tearing.
- The technical specifications required aluminum eyelets at every stress point on the awning.
- Broderie anglaise, or eyelet embroidery, features patterns of small holes finished with stitching.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"I let" the lace pass through the EYELET.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GATEWAY or PORTAL for a cord/line (controlling passage through a boundary).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'глазок' (peephole) or 'петля' (loop/handle). The closest equivalent is 'люверс' (grommet) or 'отверстие для шнурка'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'eyelet' (the hole/ring) with 'aglet' (the tip of a shoelace). Misspelling as 'eylet'. Using it as a verb incorrectly (it is primarily a noun).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an eyelet?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, an 'eyelet' often refers to the small hole itself and the reinforcing ring as a single unit, typically smaller and made in thinner materials. A 'grommet' often refers specifically to the reinforcing ring (often two-part) and is used for heavier-duty applications. In everyday language, they are frequently used interchangeably.
Yes, but it is specialist and less common. It means 'to furnish with an eyelet' or 'to make an eyelet in,' used primarily in crafts, sewing, and manufacturing contexts (e.g., 'to eyelet a sail').
It is not a high-frequency everyday word for most people. Its usage is concentrated in specific domains like footwear, clothing, crafts, sailing, and some technical fields. Most learners will encounter it at an upper-intermediate or advanced level.
Common tools include an eyelet punch (or hole punch), eyelet pliers, a setting tool, and a hammer with a setting die. These are used to create the hole and crimp the metal ring in place.