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

see also at daggers drawn, look daggers

Examples of dagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Globes stick a dagger into Sinners’s supporting players. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Dec. 2025

After Dylan Wheeler’s receiving touchdown got the Johnnies back within two scores, Jaylen Reed scored on a 38-yard reception to start the fourth quarter, a play neither Blaha nor coach Matt Walker would call a dagger. —Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 6 Dec. 2025

MacK The Knife's second goal, though, was the one that proved to be the dagger. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025

With four minutes left, Severino once again went on a long run, this time for 77 yards for the score, for the dagger. —Erik Anderson, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 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