3 syllables: Sti, let, tos. Stress on let.
stuh-LET-ohz
/stəˈlɛtoʊz/
Stilettos is pronounced stuh-LET-ohz (/stəˈlɛtoʊz/). It has three syllables (Sti-let-tos), with the stress on "let". Stilettos are a type of high-heeled, slender-heeled shoes often worn for formal or fashionable occasions. The word denotes a fashion item characterized by a sharp, tall heel and a delicate silhouette. It also appears in idiomatic expressions and fashion journalism as a symbol of elegance and femininity. The term combines stylistic cues with a specific heel height and profile.
nounStilettos are a type of high-heeled, slender-heeled shoes often worn for formal or fashionable occasions. The word denotes a fashion item characterized by a sharp, tall heel and a delicate silhouette. It also appears in idiomatic expressions and fashion journalism as a symbol of elegance and femininity. The term combines stylistic cues with a specific heel height and profile.
- Misplacing the primary stress, saying sti-LETT-os instead of sti-LETT-os; ensure the stress on the second syllable /ˈlɛ/ in most dialects. - Over-drawing the middle vowel, turning /ɛ/ into a diphthong or reducing it; keep a clear mid-front vowel. - Final /z/ confusion, either devoicing it into /s/ or making it sound like /z/ but with an elongated vowel preceding; keep a short but audible organ closure before voicing. - In rapid speech, the t in stilettos can be flapped or softened; keep a crisp /t/ for clarity. - US vs UK differences: do not crown the second syllable with an American /ə/ or overly reduced vowel; mirror the accented /ɛ/ for consistency.
How to Pronounce Stilettos
"She wore black stilettos with a tailored dress to the gala."
"The catwalk featured models strutting in bright stilettos and metallic outfits."
"He winced as she nearly tripped, catching herself in a pair of bright stilettos."
Pronounce as /stɪˈlɛ.toz/ in many contexts; the stress is on the second syllable: sti-LEL-tos. The first syllable is short, almost “stih,” the middle has an “eh” as in ‘let,’ and the final is a clear “toze” with a /z/ ending. If you’re speaking quickly, the /t/ at the boundary can soften into a flapped sound in some accents, but keep it crisp in careful speech. Audio resources on Pronounce and YouGlish can reinforce the /stɪˈlɛt.ˌoʊz/ variant if you’re aiming for a longer final diphthong in slower speech.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (suh-LETT-os vs sti-LETT-os) and mispronouncing the second syllable as /i/ or /ɪ/ without the reduced vowel quality. Another frequent issue is turning the final -tos into a hard ‘towz’ too early, producing /ˈstɪlɛtəʊz/ instead of /ˈstɪlɛtoʊz/. To correct: stress the second syllable and keep the final /oʊ/ before /z/. Practice with minimal pairs: stilettos vs stillettez is not standard; use stilettos /stɪˈlɛ.toz/.
In US English you’ll hear /stɪˈlɛtoʊz/ with a clear /oʊ/ and rhoticity depending on accent. UK English often uses /stɪˈlɛtəʊz/, with a more centralized vowel in the second syllable and a less pronounced final diphthong in some speakers. Australian English tends to align with UK patterns but may exhibit slightly broader vowel quality, with /ˈstɪl.ɛ.təʊz/ or /stɪˈlɛt.ˌəʊz/ depending on speaker. In all variants, the final /z/ is voiced; keep it crisp.
The two major challenges are the mid vowel in the second syllable and the final closed syllable /toz/ with a voiced /z/. The combination of a stressed second syllable and a final /z/ sound can cause a subtle shift: the middle vowel /ɛ/ must be clear, not reduced, and the final /z/ must be audible without adding a syllabic /z/. Practice keeping the tongue high for /ɛ/ and tapering the voice to sustain /z/ without voicing into a vowel.
There are no silent letters in stilettos; every letter contributes to the sound sequence /stɪˈlɛtoz/. The tricky part is the combination of the stressed /lɛ/ and the /toz/ ending, where the o is a rounded close-mid vowel sliding into a clear /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ depending on accent. Focus on the transition from /l/ to /ɛ/ to /t/ and then the final /o/ to /z/.
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- US: Maintain rhoticity if present in your accent; ensure /stɪˈlɛtoz/ with a crisp /t/ and a strong /o/ before final /z/. Vowels: /ɪ/ in first syllable, /ɛ/ in second, /oʊ/ or /o/ before /z/. - UK: Often /stɪˈlɛtəz/ or /stɪˈlɛtəʊz/ depending on speaker; the second syllable uses a schwa or reduced vowel, final /z/ as a soft, non-rolled /z/. - AU: Similar to UK, with a more open vowel in /ɪ/ and a tendency toward /əʊ/ in the final; keep the final /z/ clear while not overemphasizing preceding vowels.
Stilettos originated in the early 20th century, from the word stilettо, which itself comes from the Italian stiletta meaning a small stake or dagger. The diminutive -etto form signals a smaller version in many Romance languages. The term adopted English usage to describe a slender, pointed heel style that resembles the dagger’s silhouette; it became widely used in fashion journalism by the 1950s as the stiletto heel gained popularity in mid-20th‑century women’s footwear. The connection to sharpness and elegance reinforced the association with high fashion and a dramatic, vertical heel height. Over time, “stilettos” extended to describe the heel shape more broadly in popular culture, though stylistic variations (kitten heels, skyscrapers) later diversified the category. First known printed usage in English appeared in fashion glossaries during the 1950s, and the plural form became standard as multiple-heel ensembles and fashion pieces using stilettos entered daily discourse.
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Words that rhyme with "Stilettos"
-als sounds
-les sounds
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