stiletto

American  

[sti-let-oh] / stɪˈlɛt oʊ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

stilettoed, stilettoing

1. to stab or kill with a stiletto.

stiletto British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to stab with a stiletto

Other Word Forms

• stilettolike adjective

Etymology

Origin of stiletto

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

Example Sentences

You become well-acquainted with her stiletto Louboutins and her silent, hunky blond bodyguard.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2026

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 • Aug. 11, 2025

Yet unlike the doll of last year’s blockbuster movie, the next pop-culture star who’s about to re-emerge isn’t a statuesque blonde in stiletto heels.

From New York Times • Apr. 10, 2024

Vern’s Holdings said the logo stamped on the soles of some high-heeled shoes depicted the silhouette of a stiletto heel with an ankle spiral wrap.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2024

The prospect of so idyllic an interim added to the inspired stealth with which he whetted his wire, filed it to a limber stiletto fineness.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote

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