Added 9 October 2026
eyelet
/ˈaɪ.lət/ noun
In Latin: foramen Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about eyelet at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
An object that consists of a rim and small hole or perforation to receive a cord or fastener, as in garments, sails, etc. An eyelet may reinforce a hole.
Push the aglet of the shoelace through each of the eyelets, one at a time.
- A shaped metal embellishment containing a hole, used in scrapbook. Eyelets are typically set by punching a hole in the page, placing the smooth side of the eyelet on a table, positioning the paper over protruding edge and curling the edge down using a hammer and eyelet setter.
- Cotton fabric with small holes.
verb
- To make eyelets in.
Origin
From Middle English oylet, from Old French oillet, equivalent to Old French oil (“eye”) + -et (diminutive suffix). Spelling and pronunciation were later on influenced by eye (which is distantly related to oil via Proto-Indo-European) as though suffixed with -let (a double diminutive also from -et).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)