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

This shop, which features striking geometric styles, is attached to a museum that holds more than 2,500 objects—textiles, coins, daggers, and jewelry—collected by the owners’ late father. —Gayatri Shah, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025

And late in the game, after linebacker Marte Mapu picked off Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Maye and the offense couldn’t deliver a dagger and had to settle for a field goal after failing to pick up a first down. —Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025

The dagger in this come-from-behind win was a nine-play drive that ended with a 14-yard touchdown run by none other than McCarthy, who kept the ball on a third-and-1 read option from the Chicago 14-yard line. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025

Marlowe, lounging behind Frizer, grabbed Frizer’s dagger and struck him in the head; Frizer snatched it back and returned the compliment. —Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for dagger

• agger
• bagger
• stagger
• swagger

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