stiletto

[ sti-let-oh ]

noun

, plural sti·let·tos, sti·let·toes.

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 [spahyk, , heel]. stiletto heel ( def 1 ).

verb (used with object)

, sti·let·toed, sti·let·to·ing.

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 calledspike heelstiletto 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 Words From

• sti·let·to·like 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

Taylor is dressed in a short black leather jacket, matching shorts and knee-high boots with stiletto heels.

From Los Angeles Times

She's also got on a wicked pair of chrome knee-high stiletto boots.

From Salon

Gone are the stilettos that filled the closets of my youth, gone are the corsets and shapewear and thongs.

From Los Angeles Times

All we have to do is hop in our stilettos and hurry on down to vote for him, and we will be “happy, healthy, confident, and free.”

From Salon

Mr Cummings said "I'll personally handcuff her and escort her from the building", and - using a highly offensive term - refers to dealing with her questions as "dodging stilettos".

From BBC

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