dagger

American  

[dag-er] / ˈdæg ər /

noun

• daggers
  plural

1. a short, swordlike weapon with a pointed blade and a handle, used for stabbing.

2. Also called obelisk.  Printing. a mark (†) used especially for references.

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verb (used with object)

1. to stab with or as if with a dagger.

2. Printing. to mark with a dagger.

idioms

1. look daggers at, to look at angrily, threateningly, or with hate.

dagger British  

/ ˈdæɡə /

noun

1. a short stabbing weapon with a pointed blade

2. Also called: obelisk.  a character (†) used in printing to indicate a cross reference, esp to a footnote

3. in a state of open hostility

4. to glare with hostility; scowl

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verb

1. to mark with a dagger

2. archaic to stab with a dagger

dagger More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing dagger

• look daggers

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• daggers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dagger

1350–1400; Middle English, probably alteration of Old French dague, of obscure origin; cf. dag ¹

Explanation

A dagger is a weapon, a sharp knife that's used for self-defense or fighting. During the Late Middle Ages, daggers were a sort of back-up to the longer sword, both carried during battles. Most daggers have a sharp, pointed blade and a handle with a "crossguard" that protects a fighter's hand from sliding forward and getting cut. Throughout history, various kinds of daggers have been used in close combat. The word comes from the Old French dague, though its origin beyond that isn't known. The ancient last name Dagard, dating from the 13th century or earlier, meant "one who carries a dagger."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dagger daggers

Willis called the hiring process "the most cloak and dagger thing" she has ever seen, saying it took about four months in total and that the chemistry test was "terrifying, but so brilliant".

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Princess Ita's coffin also held an especially ornate dagger.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

And the midtempo ballad “The Knife” describes a collapsing relationship as a mortal threat, akin to a dagger jabbed into one’s side or a case of kerosene waiting to be ignited.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

At a defense forum in Singapore on Saturday, Brunson was asked if his "dagger" remarks were "authorised or endorsed by the Pentagon".

From Barron's ● May 30, 2026

Zheng wasn’t sure whether to be happy or disappointed that Razi and Shifa were on the trail of the dagger.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook

"Princess Ita was a young woman aged between 28 and 34 with strong upper-body muscle attachments, suggesting she habitually used weapons like maces or daggers," said Hashesh.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

The troublesome Queen of the Night dazzles with high notes that shoot out like daggers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

Some fought with only a trident; some fought mounted on horseback; some on chariot; others on foot with helmet and short sword; some with two daggers; still others exclusively fought wild beasts.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

Wealth has a way of sorting relationships when one friend's opulence brings out lustful envy in the others, the deadly sins most likely to drive daggers into the gut of any platonic bond.

From Salon ● Mar. 10, 2025

Their hands formed into fists; their eyes squinted into slits that sent out invisible daggers.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• sword