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

Celebrities have kept the plain pointed stiletto in rotation inside the broader white shoe push this spring, especially as the color has moved past bridal dressing and into red carpets, press stops and daytime appearances. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

Minimalist sandals, satin ballet flats, sharp stilettos, and even structured loafers completely transform that fluid and carefree silhouette. —Marilú Almaguer, Glamour, 9 May 2026

Larsson declared before picking up her right foot and showing that the stiletto was missing a heel. —Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 8 May 2026

The $50 top features a small, red stiletto with the franchise's pitchfork heel embroidered on the chest. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Apr. 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