stiletto heel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral, common in fashion and everyday contexts.
Quick answer
What does “stiletto heel” mean?
A thin, high heel on a shoe, resembling a stiletto dagger in shape.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thin, high heel on a shoe, resembling a stiletto dagger in shape.
A style of women's shoe characterized by such a heel. Also used to refer to the heel itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term. In American English, 'stiletto' alone is often used to mean the shoe.
Connotations
Fashion, glamour, femininity, but also potential discomfort or impracticality.
Frequency
Slightly more common in UK fashion media, but widely understood in both.
Grammar
How to Use “stiletto heel” in a Sentence
She wore stiletto heels.The stiletto heel snapped.A shoe with a stiletto heel.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stiletto heel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- She chose a stiletto-heel pump for the event.
- The stiletto-heel trend is back.
American English
- She bought some stiletto-heel sandals.
- That's a very stiletto-heel look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail/fashion business contexts.
Academic
Rare, may appear in cultural or fashion studies.
Everyday
Common when discussing shoes, fashion, or dress codes.
Technical
Used in shoe design and manufacturing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stiletto heel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stiletto heel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stiletto heel”
- Using 'stiletto' to refer to any high-heeled shoe (it must be thin).
- Pronouncing it /staɪˈlet.oʊ/.
- Confusing with 'wedge' or 'block' heels.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In common usage, 'stilettos' often refers to the shoes themselves, while 'stiletto heels' specifies the type of heel. They are used interchangeably.
While historically and typically associated with women's fashion, there are fashion lines and contexts where heels, including stiletto styles, are designed for and worn by men.
The name comes from the stiletto dagger, a small, slender knife with a needle-like point, which the thin, sharp heel resembles.
Podiatrists often warn that frequent, prolonged wear of high stiletto heels can lead to foot problems like bunions, hammertoes, and altered posture, due to the extreme pressure on the ball of the foot.
A thin, high heel on a shoe, resembling a stiletto dagger in shape.
Stiletto heel is usually informal to neutral, common in fashion and everyday contexts. in register.
Stiletto heel: in British English it is pronounced /stɪˈlet.əʊ ˌhiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /stɪˈlet̬.oʊ ˌhiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Killer heels (informal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
STILETTO = STICK + THIN + LET'S GO (TALL) - Imagine a thin, stick-like heel that lets you go tall.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEAPON FOR ATTRACTION (The heel is sharp/dangerous like a dagger, used in the 'game' of fashion/attraction).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a stiletto heel?