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

Brunson scored eight points in the game’s final 5:04, including a 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining that gave the Knicks a 116-104 lead and served as the dagger. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025

More symbolic may be the dagger tattoo on his left forearm. —Cam Inman, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

So the humiliation of knowing his family was right is yet another dagger in all this. —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2025

Unfortunately, we got hemmed in, and then (Stone’s goal) was a dagger, too. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 2 May 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