aiglet

2 synonyms for aiglet, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The small hard tip on the end of a shoelace that stops it fraying and lets it pass through eyelets.

Synonyms

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

aglet aiguillette

The small hard tip on the end of a shoelace that stops it fraying and lets it pass through eyelets.

“The plastic aiglet had split, so the lace kept unravelling.”

aglet aiguillette

A small decorative metal tag or ornament attached to clothing or trimming.

“Her jacket was trimmed with tiny gilt aiglets along the cuffs.”

aglet

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

plastic aiglet metal aiglet shoelace aiglet gilt aiglet

Aglet is the more common everyday spelling; aiglet turns up more in historical and costume writing.

Aiglet was borrowed from Middle French aiguillette, meaning needle, itself a diminutive of aiguille.

What is an aiglet?

It is the small tip, traditionally of metal, fitted to the end of a lace or cord to stop it fraying and to help it thread through eyelets.

Is aiglet the same as aglet?

Yes, aglet is simply an alternative spelling of aiglet, and both refer to the same lace tip.

What were aiglets originally used for?

Besides tipping laces, they were once used as decorative metal tags on clothing, such as on corset lacings and doublets.