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 singer paired a Ferragamo dress with the same black satin stiletto mules it was shown with on the runway at the Ferragamo spring 2027 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week in September. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

An effortless stiletto mule and a compact shoulder bag add just enough to this ensemble without going overboard. — Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026

Wearing impractical stilettos and clutching a massive Stanley cup, Trina is introduced to her new pupils. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026

Featuring a sleek black column skirt and minimalist stilettos, the look, while pared-back, was far from boring thanks to a creamy sleeveless top with a voluminous feather-like hem. — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 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