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

Events like Ball Without Billionaires seem to usher in a new chapter in activism – one in which solidarity might also be forged in stilettos. —Eileen G'sell, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

Crawford accessorized the one-piece swimsuit with a diamond necklace and black stilettos. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 June 2026

The shoes are set on an ultra-slim 120mm stiletto and incredibly steep heel that reveals the Loubi red of the iconic sole. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 4 June 2026

Kitten-heeled or stiletto-ed, red carpet step and repeating or traversing the city streets, Holmes has found a new, hard-working staple in the form of the thong sandal. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 June 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