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

Miley Cyrus marked her arrival in Paris on Tuesday with a subtle nod to the city’s fashion history, wearing an archival dress from late designer Patrick Kelly paired with classic black stilettos. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 18 June 2025

Now the room, decorated with giant lamps resembling drooping wildflowers, is a temple to a different kind of currency: designer stilettos (from the likes of Manolo Blahnik and Jacquemus). —Marina Harss, New Yorker, 13 June 2025

Famous last words: Lexi, of course, promptly trips on her stiletto, falls out the absurdly dangerous glass panel, and plummets to her death. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 7 June 2025

Kidman has arrived at the Belcourt in pure Hollywood Kidman mode: Bottega Veneta red-gingham shirt, flared black maxi skirt, black stilettos. —Danielle Pergament, Allure, 22 May 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