dagger
6 synonyms for dagger, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short weapon with a pointed, double-edged blade, used for stabbing.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use dagger
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a jewelled dagger
draw a dagger
looks that could kill (daggers)
Etymology
From Old French dague, itself of uncertain and possibly Celtic origin; the word entered English in the 1380s.
Full origin of dagger →Frequently asked questions
What does “dagger” mean?
The word “dagger” means a short weapon with a pointed, double-edged blade, used for stabbing. In plain terms, a small stabbing knife, or the small cross-like symbol (†) used in writing.
How do you pronounce “dagger”?
“Dagger” is pronounced DA-guh (/ˈdæɡɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dagger” in a sentence?
Here is “dagger” used in a sentence: “He kept a small dagger tucked into his boot.”
What part of speech is “dagger”?
“Dagger” is a noun.
Where does the word “dagger” come from?
The word “dagger” dates back to around 1380 and comes from Old French. From Old French dague, itself of uncertain and possibly Celtic origin; the word entered English in the 1380s.
Is “dagger” a common word?
“Dagger” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dagger” have?
“Dagger” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short weapon with a pointed, double-edged blade, used for stabbing.
What is the difference between a dagger and a knife?
A dagger is specifically a short weapon with a pointed, double-edged blade designed for stabbing, while a knife is a broader term covering tools used for cutting that may have only one sharp edge. Daggers are generally associated with combat or ceremonial use rather than everyday cutting tasks.
What does the dagger symbol (†) mean in writing?
The dagger symbol is used in writing to mark footnotes, often as a secondary reference marker after an asterisk, or historically to indicate that a named person has died. Its use as a footnote marker is common in academic and reference texts.
Is dagger only used to describe a weapon?
No, dagger also refers to the typographic symbol †, used for footnotes or historically to mark a person's death, in addition to its meaning as a short stabbing weapon. Context makes clear which sense applies.
