Stiletto vs. Dagger — What's the Difference?

A stiletto (Italian: [stiˈletto]) is a knife or dagger with a long slender blade and needle-like point, primarily intended as a stabbing weapon.The stiletto blade's narrow cross-section and acuminated (tapering gradually to a sharp point) tip reduce friction upon entry, allowing the blade to penetrate deeply. Some consider the stiletto a form of dagger, but most stilettos are specialized thrusting weapons not designed for cutting or slashing, even with edged examples.Over time, the term stiletto has been used as a general descriptive term for a variety of knife blades exhibiting a narrow blade with minimal cutting surfaces and a needle-like point, such as the U.S. V-42 stiletto, while in American English usage, the name stiletto can also refer to a switchblade knife with a stiletto- or bayonet-type blade design.

A dagger is a knife with a very sharp point and usually two sharp edges, typically designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. Daggers have been used throughout human history for close combat confrontations, and many cultures have used adorned daggers in ritual and ceremonial contexts.

A small dagger with a slender, tapering blade.

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a weapon

Something shaped like such a dagger.

A moth with a dark dagger-shaped marking on the forewing.

A small, sharp-pointed instrument used for making eyelet holes in needlework.

A short pointed weapon with sharp edges.

A shoe or boot with a stiletto heel.

Something that agonizes, torments, or wounds.

A small, slender knife or dagger-like weapon intended for stabbing.

See obelisk.

A rapier.

A double dagger.

An awl.

(weapons) A stabbing weapon, similar to a sword but with a short, double-edged blade.

A woman's shoe with a tall, slender heel (called a stiletto heel).

(typography) The text character †; the obelus.

A beard trimmed into a pointed form.

A point scored near the end of the game (clutch time) to take or increase the scorer's team lead, so that they are likely to win.

(transitive) To attack or kill with a stiletto dagger.

A timber placed diagonally in a ship's frame.

A kind of dagger with a slender, rounded, and pointed blade.

To pierce with a dagger; to stab.

A pointed instrument for making eyelet holes in embroidery.

A short weapon used for stabbing. This is the general term: cf. Poniard, Stiletto, Bowie knife, Dirk, Misericorde, Anlace.

A beard trimmed into a pointed form.

A mark of reference in the form of a dagger [

To stab or kill with a stiletto.

A timber placed diagonally in a ship's frame.

A small dagger with a tapered blade

To pierce with a dagger; to stab.

A short knife with a pointed blade used for piercing or stabbing

A character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote