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

Burke’s look was paired with bold red tights and a pair of pointed-toe stilettos. —Julia Teti, WWD, 18 Mar. 2025

Her nails, which were worn long and filed into a pointed stiletto shape, were equally on theme in an emo kid palette of red and black, a.k.a. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Mar. 2025

His knife-heel stiletto pantaboots have attracted everyone from Kim Kardashian to Isabelle Huppert, while his glamorous ball gowns have captured the hearts of Nicole Kidman and Michelle Yeoh. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025

The mostly low-rise slim jeans flared over pointed toe stilettos and were styled with large medallion-like belts. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 7 Mar. 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