noun
Uncommon
dagger
DA-guh
Dagger (noun) means a short weapon with a pointed, double-edged blade, used for stabbing. Example: “He kept a small dagger tucked into his boot.”
noun
1
A short weapon with a pointed, double-edged blade, used for stabbing.
"He kept a small dagger tucked into his boot."
"The knight drew his dagger as the ambush began."
2
The symbol †, used in writing to mark footnotes or, historically, a person's death.
"A dagger next to his name indicated he had died before the book was published."
How to use dagger
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small stabbing knife, or the small cross-like symbol (†) used in writing.
Common pairings
a jewelled dagger
draw a dagger
looks that could kill (daggers)
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Word forms
- Plural
- daggers
- Third person singular
- daggers
- Past tense
- daggered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He kept a small _____ tucked into his boot.
Etymology
From Old French dague, itself of uncertain and possibly Celtic origin; the word entered English in the 1380s.
Related words
Rhymes for dagger
See all rhymes for 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.
