Search Dictionary
Definition of stiletto
stiletto
/stɪˈlɛt.oʊ/
sti · let · to
Plural:stilettos
stiletto Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
8
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
stiletto Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A tall, slender heel on a woman's shoe, or a shoe featuring such a heel.
Example
"She paired her elegant evening gown with a pair of black stilettos for the formal gala."
2
A short dagger with a narrow, tapering blade intended primarily for thrusting.
Example
"The historical exhibit featured a highly ornate, sixteenth-century Italian stiletto used for self-defense."
3
A small pointed tool used for piercing holes in leather or needlework.
Example
"The artisan carefully used a stiletto to puncture the thick leather before stitching it together."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for stiletto Antonyms
View all antonyms for stiletto• Rhymes for stiletto
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Italian 'stiletto', a diminutive of 'stilo' (dagger, stylus), which derives from Latin 'stilus' (a pointed instrument used for writing).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Stiletto. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/stiletto