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

Phrases

at daggers drawn

: in a state of open hostility or conflict

look daggers or stare daggers

: to stare angrily

they looked daggers at each other across the table

Examples of dagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Seymour and her colleagues also found other artifacts at the site, including crossbow bolts, lead bullets, swords, daggers, chain mail and plate armor. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

Buffalo's Mac Collins recovered the kick and returned it for 38 yards, which set up a scoring drive for the Bills and served as the eventual dagger, boosting the lead to 45-28. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

The final conversion, a 9-yard pass to tight end Travis Kelce on third-and-7 at the Chargers’ 20-yard line was like a dagger to their heart. —Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 8 Dec. 2024

And in the waning seconds of the third quarter, the 7-foot Towns drilled a 3-pointer that served as a dagger in the Knicks’ 121-106 win over Orlando and its NBA-best defense. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024

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

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