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

Poly’s stingy defense and a pair of key buckets from Smothers helped the Engineers go on a prolonged 7-0 run that extended their lead to 13 late before a 3-pointer from Elliott with about three minutes to go proved to be the dagger in Poly’s 16-point victory. —Nicky Wolcott, Baltimore Sun, 25 Feb. 2026

If the power to regulate is deemed to include the power to tax, a new precedent would be created that could become a dagger aimed at the heart of our freedom. —Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

The fact that a 10-inch lizard with bright green coloring and rows of dagger-like spines went unrecognized in a forest that researchers were actively surveying speaks to how much remains undocumented in Southeast Asia’s dense canopy environments. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Feb. 2026

Leading 73-70, Miles delivered the dagger with a nice dribble and then a pull-up jumper with 54 seconds remaining. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2026

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