stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈle-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce stiletto (audio)
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 Fans have used racial and misogynistic slurs in messages to league players, while others have mocked the (almost exclusively) Black players with stiletto nails. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024 Monét wore a head-to-toe Y2K fashion throwback consisting of a pleated and frayed denim mini skirt in an acid-wash, a paper-thin sleeveless tee and pointed-toe stiletto boots. Marissa Muller, WWD, 22 Sep. 2024 Originally, Blakely wanted to design a comfortable stiletto that looked, well, like a stiletto. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024 In addition to her obsession with the most minor details, Morgan’s fashion sense, which includes miniskirts and sky-high stiletto boots, offers texture to the character. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stiletto 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stiletto.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of stiletto was circa 1611

Dictionary Entries Near stiletto

Cite this Entry

“Stiletto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiletto. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

stiletto

noun
sti·​let·​to stə-ˈlet-ō How to pronounce stiletto (audio)
plural stilettos or stilettoes
: a slender dagger
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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