What does dagger mean?
A dagger is a short, sharp-pointed weapon designed primarily for stabbing rather than cutting, distinguished from longer swords by its compact size and close-quarters use. Historically significant across many cultures, it served both as an everyday tool and an instrument of stealth, giving rise to enduring idioms such as 'at daggers drawn', meaning openly hostile, and 'cloak-and-dagger', evoking espionage and intrigue. Beyond weaponry, the word names a typographic symbol — the dagger or obelisk (†) — long used in printing to flag footnotes or mark a person's year of death. Figuratively, one may 'look daggers at' someone, expressing fierce disapproval without violence. The term carries connotations of danger, treachery, and intimacy of combat, since a dagger implies proximity between attacker and victim. Whether encountered in historical fiction, typography, or everyday metaphor, dagger remains a vivid, versatile word rooted in centuries of martial and literary tradition.
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a weapon.
"The museum displayed Roman daggers alongside their scabbards."
Often appears in fixed plural expressions like 'at daggers drawn'.
(rare) To stab with a dagger.
Very rare; largely obsolete.
Regular plural.
"He collected antique daggers from across Europe."
The phrase 'at daggers drawn' has kept a medieval weapon alive in everyday English for centuries — you can be 'at daggers' with your neighbour without owning a single blade.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dagger
The word 'dagger' entered English in the Middle Ages, appearing by around the late 14th century. Its ultimate origin is uncertain; it may derive from Old French 'dague' or directly from a Romance source, though the precise root is disputed among etymologists. Related forms appear across European languages, suggesting broad medieval currency for the weapon's name.
Related word forms
How dagger is actually used
Mostly literal in modern usage but frequently figurative in expressions of hostility or secrecy. The plural 'daggers' is common in idioms such as 'at daggers drawn'.
Easily confused with dagger
A dirk is a specific type of long thrusting dagger associated with Scottish Highland dress, whereas dagger is the general term for any short stabbing weapon.