stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈle-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce stiletto (audio)
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 whole thing feels reminiscent of the Baden Baden World Cup, when Victoria was reported to have worn Saint Laurent stilettos even while swimming. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 True to form, the nails are a sharp stiletto style, covered in a pearly, luminescent nude-pink polish with a shimmery, frosty finish. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Feb. 2024 Susie Glass, the crime boss Eddie reports to, is essentially a carbon copy of Michelle Dockery’s Rosalind, from her cherry-red lips to her sky-high stilettos to her generally imperturbable air. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 The actor layered her slouchy tracksuit jacket over a white sports bra top, with matching stiletto pants. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 21 Feb. 2024 Trammell had plenty of drugs and dedicated lingerie rooms at his homes with skimpy apparel and stilettos in a range of sizes for lady guests, according to the legal complaint. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 31 Jan. 2024 Swift’s boots Swifties marveled at how Swift walked onto the field turf in her stiletto boots. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2024 The Gossip Girl alum, 36, twinned with the birthday girl in a monochromatic black outfit, consisting of a Michael Kors Collection leather dress, Christian Louboutin thigh-high leather stiletto boots and gold jewelry. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 21 Dec. 2023 Note the upper-arm bracelet worn atop the sleeve and signature sleek stilettos. Julia Hobbs, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stiletto.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near stiletto

Cite this Entry

“Stiletto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stiletto. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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
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