cigar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal. More common in written descriptions and specific contexts (luxury, celebrations) than everyday conversation.
Quick answer
What does “cigar” mean?
A roll of tobacco leaves prepared for smoking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A roll of tobacco leaves prepared for smoking.
Often associated with leisure, celebration, wealth, or contemplation; sometimes carries connotations of traditional masculinity, business deals, or post-meal relaxation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The associated imagery and cultural context are largely similar.
Connotations
Both varieties associate cigars with celebration (birth of a child), success, or luxury. Historically stronger association with politicians and businessmen in US culture.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. The word might appear slightly more in American media related to Cuban cigar politics or premium brands.
Grammar
How to Use “cigar” in a Sentence
smoke + cigarlight + cigaroffer + someone + a cigarpuff on + a cigarVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cigar” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- cigar smoke
- cigar band
American English
- cigar lounge
- cigar bar
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Sometimes used metaphorically to signify closing a major deal or as a luxury perk.
Academic
Rare, except in historical, cultural, or public health studies about tobacco.
Everyday
Used when describing someone's habit, a gift, or a specific event like a wedding or birth.
Technical
Used in horticulture (tobacco cultivation) and in the luxury goods/tobacco industry.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cigar”
- Incorrect: 'He smokes a cigarette cigar.' (Use either 'cigarette' or 'cigar').
- Incorrect plural: 'cigars' (correct) vs. non-existent 'cigares'.
- Spelling confusion with 'cigarette'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A cigar is a roll of whole tobacco leaves, often larger and smoked without inhaling deeply. A cigarette contains shredded tobacco wrapped in thin paper and is typically inhaled.
Yes, 'cigar' is a countable noun (e.g., one cigar, two cigars, a box of cigars).
No, 'cigar' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to smoke' (a cigar).
It means that someone was almost correct or almost successful, but ultimately did not succeed or win.
A roll of tobacco leaves prepared for smoking.
Cigar is usually neutral to formal. more common in written descriptions and specific contexts (luxury, celebrations) than everyday conversation. in register.
Cigar: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˈɡɑː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪˈɡɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Close, but no cigar (almost successful, but not quite)”
- “What's that got to do with the price of cigars? (expressing irrelevance)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CIGAR sounds like 'see gar' - imagine SEEing a big, fancy car (a 'gar' as in garage) and celebrating by smoking a cigar.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CIGAR IS A SYMBOL OF SUCCESS/A REWARD (e.g., 'He lit a cigar to celebrate the deal.'); A CIGAR IS A TOOL FOR CONTEMPLATION (e.g., 'He pondered the issue over a cigar.')
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a common idiom using the word 'cigar'?