How to pronounce stiletto
Say it like stih-LET-oh. Stiletto has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce stiletto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- stih
- LET
- oh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Stiletto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- stihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of stiletto
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: stih-LET-oh.
What does stiletto mean?
- A small, slender knife or dagger-like weapon intended for stabbing.
- A rapier.
- An awl.
- To attack or kill with a stiletto (dagger).
Where does stiletto come from?
Borrowed from Italian stiletto.
Words that rhyme with stiletto
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of stiletto.
Questions about saying stiletto
How do you pronounce stiletto?
Say stih-LET-oh. The American pronunciation is /stɪˈlɛtoʊ/. In British English it is /stɪˈlɛtəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in stiletto?
Stiletto has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LET). Broken into parts: stih · LET · oh.
Is stiletto pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /stɪˈlɛtəʊ/ (stih-LET-oh).