stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈle-(ˌ)tō 

plural stilettos or stilettoes

1

: a slender dagger with a blade thick in proportion to its breadth

2

: a pointed instrument for piercing holes for eyelets or embroidery

3

: stiletto heel

also : a shoe with a stiletto heel

Examples of stiletto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Erlanger teamed up with the brand to design a collection featuring two elegant high-heel styles — a sculptural stiletto and a platform heel — across 12 colorways, priced at $399. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

The $50 top features a small, red stiletto with the franchise's pitchfork heel embroidered on the chest. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

And while Avignone sported an all-white uniform in a turtleneck and silk skirt with black accessories, Swift broke hers up with a simple black tank top, stiletto sandals, and Dior's Small 30 Montaigne Avenue Top Handle Bag. —Glamour, 9 Apr. 2026

Soften a razor-sharp stiletto with this intricate design that features a milky white base, pale pink tips, and chrome powder. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 4 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of stilo stylus, dagger, from Latin stilus stylus — more at style

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stiletto

• stiletto heel

Rhymes for stiletto

• hereto
• libretto
• magneto
• palmetto
• whereto
• allegretto
• lazaretto
• ghetto
• seto

Kids Definition

stiletto

noun

sti·​let·​to stə-ˈlet-ō 

plural stilettos or stilettoes

: a slender dagger