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

A stunning jeweled dagger hilt and scabbard from Jahangir’s reign incorporate more than 2,000 diamonds, rubies and emeralds set in an intricate pattern in gold.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026

Andy Burnham said carrying knives for religious reasons "needs to be looked at," a debate prompted by the killer of Henry Nowak carrying a kirpan, a Sikh sword or dagger.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 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

The dagger appeared to be a fastbreak dunk by Alperen Sengun to give the Rockets a 101-95 lead and eventually the ball with the crowd roaring and barely 30 seconds left.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026

“So there’s a chance the dagger might still be in it! If the fishermen who took it back to Nathan’s didn’t notice anything.”

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

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

Here, the evildoers receive sumptuous cloaks along with their metaphorical daggers.

From Salon ● Jan. 28, 2026

When the last players got a chance to take down their cloaks, daggers and suspicions they had the opportunity to ask each other what they wanted to do if they won.

From BBC ● Jan. 24, 2026

Naroditsky had strong social ties, and was well respected publicly and privately, but the thin daggers of cyberbullying may have slipped past those defenses.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2025

While she says it with a smile, it’s hard to miss the daggers coming from her eyes.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• sword