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

The Gucci women’s stiletto boot pictured above hails from the luxury brand’s spring 2026 collection, the first collection designed by new creative director Demna. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 23 Dec. 2025

On nails, that translates to both shape (as in the midi stiletto manicures worn by stars like Dakota Johnson and Jayme Lawson) and style (like Kylie Jenner’s deep French inspired by a specific 1997 cover of Nails magazine). —Rachel Krause, Vogue, 22 Dec. 2025

It's had everyone from regular users to celebrities like Ciara and Jenna Bush Hager donning their stilettos and trying the balancing act. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 21 Dec. 2025

Back in Paris, back in stilettos. —Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

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