stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈle-(ˌ)tō 

plural stilettos or stilettoes

1

: a slender dagger with a blade thick in proportion to its breadth

2

: a pointed instrument for piercing holes for eyelets or embroidery

3

: stiletto heel

also : a shoe with a stiletto heel

Examples of stiletto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Turns out, chic and (relatively) comfy stilettos do exist—go figure. —Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 20 Feb. 2025

Even guests at the Marlin were straining to see performer Kevin Aviance, seven feet tall from wig to stiletto, lip-syncing Donna Summer’s Love to Love You, Baby atop a humongous Lite beer truck. —Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2025

Jeanine Pirro and George W. Bush press secretary Dana Perino wear pristine suits and stilettos. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025

In classic Madonna style, the 66-year-old pop superstar hinted at suggestive poses while wearing a Burberry trench coat over a pink slip dress, fishnet gloves, thigh-high sheer tights and stilettos. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of stilo stylus, dagger, from Latin stilus stylus — more at style

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stiletto

• stiletto heel

Rhymes for stiletto

• hereto
• libretto
• magneto
• palmetto
• whereto
• allegretto
• lazaretto
• ghetto
• seto

Kids Definition

stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈlet-ō 

plural stilettos or stilettoes

: a slender dagger