dagger

noun

dag·​ger ˈda-gər 

1

: a sharp pointed knife for stabbing

2

a

: something that resembles a dagger

b

: a character † used as a reference mark or to indicate a death date

daggerlike

ˈda-gər-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

at daggers drawn look daggers

Examples of dagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Armed with a whip and possibly a dagger, she is also depicted chasing the leopard. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2026

Additionally, one person was arrested on suspicion of possessing a dirk or dagger, police said. —City News Service, Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026

Owen Caissie hit a changeup from Victor Vodnik, sending it 394 feet and over the right-center field wall for a two-run dagger to the Rockies’ heart. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 29 Mar. 2026

Richardson, who is in federal custody, was originally charged with a felony count of criminal threats, a felony count of possessing brass knuckles, a count of possessing a dirk or dagger, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of possession of a large-capacity magazine. —City News Service, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing dagger

• cloak-and-dagger
• double dagger

Rhymes for dagger

• agger
• bagger
• stagger
• swagger

Kids Definition

dagger

noun

dag·​ger ˈdag-ər 

1

: a short weapon for stabbing

2

: a symbol † used in printing as a reference mark to indicate a death date