pace

The speed at which someone moves or something happens.

• We worked at a slow pace.
• The pace of change has increased.
• Can you keep pace with the other runners?

How to use it: at a particular pace (The work continued at a steady pace.); keep pace with someone/something (Small shops struggle to keep pace with rising costs.)

Similar words: speed, rate

Common phrases: steady pace, pace of change, at your pace, brisk pace

The distance you cover with one step.

• He took one pace forward.
• She stood three paces from the door.
• Move back a couple of paces.

Similar words: step, stride

Common phrases: one pace back, a pace away, pace forward, one pace apart

How well a cricket playing surface lets the ball keep its speed after bouncing.

• This pitch has plenty of pace.
• The rain took some pace out of the pitch.
• The batter misjudged the pace of the surface.

Common phrases: pitch pace, pace and bounce, pace off something

To walk repeatedly across a small area, often because you are worried.

• He paced around the room.
• She was pacing outside the office.
• I paced up and down while waiting for news.

Common phrases: pace the room, pace up and down, pace around

To set the speed for someone in a race or during training.

• Maya paced the runners for the first mile.
• He paced me during my marathon training.
• A cyclist will pace her on the practice run.

Common phrases: pace a runner, pace someone, pace the race

To measure a distance by walking and counting your steps.

• She paced out the garden.
• He paced off ten metres from the gate.
• We paced the distance between the two trees.

How to use it: pace out/off something (We paced out the length of the field.)

Common phrases: pace out something, pace a distance, pace off something

Used before a name to politely show that you disagree with that person.

• Pace Lee, the plan is affordable.
• The evidence, pace Professor Hall, suggests a different explanation.
• Pace its supporters, this policy has achieved little.

How to use it: pace someone (Pace the critics, the novel has a clear structure.)

Similar words: with due respect to

Common phrases: pace the critics, pace someone