stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈle-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce stiletto (audio)
plural stilettos or stilettoes
Synonyms of stilettonext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brown accessorized with stiletto sandals, tiny gold hoops, and a patterned headscarf, wearing her brunette waves loose. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 26 June 2026 So to be fake pregnant in stilettos and chic corporate wear, with full beat, full Kris Jenner beat, was different. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 5 June 2026 Strappy pairs with metallic details (like Amanu’s gold-hardware shoe) feel just as formal as the highest of stilettos, all while keeping you safely grounded in the sand. — Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 29 June 2026 The $850 style is cut higher on the foot than a low-vamp pump, with a dramatic point, slim 100mm stiletto and small JC emblem at the back. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for stiletto

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

Phrases Containing stiletto

Rhymes for stiletto

See All Rhymes for stiletto

Browse Nearby Words

stile recitativo
stiletto
stiletto fly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stiletto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiletto. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All