pace

10 synonyms for pace, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The speed at which something happens or someone moves.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

speed rate step yard

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

tempo stride velocity tread

Rare, literary or technical

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

gait footstep

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The speed at which something happens or someone moves.

“The project is moving at a frustratingly slow pace.”

speed tempo rate stride gait velocity step footstep yard tread

2. verb

To walk back and forth repeatedly, often out of nervousness or impatience.

“She paced the waiting room while the doctors operated.”

step

How to use pace

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

keep pace set the pace pace yourself a slow pace

Etymology

From Old French "pas," from Latin "passus" ("step, stride") — the same root that gives us "pass" and "passage."

Full origin of pace →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pace” mean?

The word “pace” means the speed at which something happens or someone moves. In plain terms, the speed of movement or progress, a single step, or (as a verb) to walk back and forth or to control speed.

How do you pronounce “pace”?

“Pace” is pronounced pays (/peɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “pace” in a sentence?

Here is “pace” used in a sentence: “The project is moving at a frustratingly slow pace.”

What part of speech is “pace”?

Depending on how it is used, “pace” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “pace” come from?

The word “pace” comes from Latin. From Old French "pas," from Latin "passus" ("step, stride") — the same root that gives us "pass" and "passage.".

Is “pace” a common word?

“Pace” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “pace” have?

“Pace” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the speed at which something happens or someone moves.

What is the difference between pace and speed?

Speed is the neutral measure of how fast something moves. Pace refers to the speed at which something happens or someone moves, and it is preferred for human activity and rhythm: "the pace of life," "set the pace." In running, pace is usually expressed as time per distance (minutes per mile or kilometre), the inverse of speed.

What is the difference between pace and tempo?

Both refer to speed, but tempo is used especially for the speed of music and, by extension, the rhythm of an activity: "the tempo of the match." Pace is the more general word for the speed at which someone moves or something happens.

People also searched

rate step speed yard velocity tempo tread stride gait footstep

Nearby words

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