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

Swift’s stiletto boots went with a black wool peacoat from Auter layered over a plaid miniskirt (or dress) and a dark solid-colored pullover sweater. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 4 Nov. 2025

After months of wearing sneakers in the halls of Congress, Pelosi has now resumed wearing her signature stilettos. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025

This magical mani requires nails that are a little long and sharp, but without reaching stiletto status. —Ana Serrano, Glamour, 30 Oct. 2025

Zeta-Jones had originally styled the dress in 2005 with black fringed stilettos and a matching clutch, adding a diamond pendant necklace and earrings. —Sarah Sotoodeh, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 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