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

Likely because Beyoncé served as a co-chair for this year’s event, the 14-year-old got a pass, wearing a white strapless Balenciaga gown with silver Jimmy Choo stilettos, sunglasses, and an unzipped jacket. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 May 2026

As for Isabel Marant’s current footwear presence, its fall 2026 show presented in March featured several silhouettes including curve-heel pumps, stiletto boots and wedge loafers, with plenty of animal prints present. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 20 May 2026

Just last month this came in the form of a chic satin maxiskirt paired with a simple black tank top, stiletto sandals, and Dior’s Small 30 Montaigne Avenue Top Handle Bag. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 May 2026

De Palma unpacks one in the accompanying film, going so far as to speak into a stiletto like a telephone. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

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