stiletto

[sti-let-oh]

noun

plural

stilettos, stilettoes 

1. a short dagger with a blade that is thick in proportion to its width.

2. a pointed instrument for making eyelet holes in needlework.

3. spike heel. stiletto heel.

verb (used with object)

stilettoed, stilettoing 

1. to stab or kill with a stiletto.

stiletto

/ stɪˈlɛtəʊ /

noun

1. a small dagger with a slender tapered blade

2. a sharply pointed tool used to make holes in leather, cloth, etc

3. Also called: spike heel.  stiletto heel. a very high heel on a woman's shoe, tapering to a very narrow tip

verb

1. (tr) to stab with a stiletto

Other Word Forms

• stilettolike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stiletto¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Italian, equivalent to stil(o) “dagger” (from Latin stilus stylus ) + -etto -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of stiletto¹

C17: from Italian, from stilo a dagger, from Latin stilus a stake, pen; see _stylus

Example Sentences

One studio manager recalled that her habit of striding across the studio in stiletto heels damaged the floor but no-one had the courage to tell her.

From BBC

The teaser for the film gives nothing away - the famous red stiletto heel from the first film's promotional poster is appropriately joined by a second, identical shoe.

From BBC

And I told Bruce, "I woke up at 50 in a thong and stilettos, happier than I've ever been."

From Salon

It can be an actual stiletto heel or a wedge.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite her recent history of broken bones, Amos was nevertheless gamely sporting bright yellow stilettos in the Salon studio the day we chatted, as she navigated our obstacle course of cords and rugs.

From Salon

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