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

Ballet pink stiletto nails narrow to an airbrushed nude point, with leopard spots and silver chrome stars. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 23 June 2026

Christian Louboutin’s Miss Z pumps covered the foot in mirror-bright Vintage Rose laminated calf leather, narrowing into a tapered point above a 100mm stiletto and the house’s red sole. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 22 June 2026

Events like Ball Without Billionaires seem to usher in a new chapter in activism – one in which solidarity might also be forged in stilettos. —Eileen G'sell, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

So to be fake pregnant in stilettos and chic corporate wear, with full beat, full Kris Jenner beat, was different. —Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026

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