cigarette paper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal; technical in a tobacco/consumable context.
Quick answer
What does “cigarette paper” mean?
Thin, porous paper specially manufactured for rolling tobacco into a cigarette.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Thin, porous paper specially manufactured for rolling tobacco into a cigarette.
1. A small booklet or pack of thin, cut papers used for rolling cigarettes. 2. Figuratively, something extremely thin or flimsy. 3. Historically, thin paper for other purposes (e.g., a type of tracing paper).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: Commonly used. 'Rizla' (a major brand) is often used generically. US: Common, but the generic 'rolling paper' is equally or more frequent, especially in cannabis culture.
Connotations
UK: Primarily associated with hand-rolling tobacco. US: Can carry stronger connotations of cannabis use, though still correct for tobacco.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English relative to the popularity of hand-rolled cigarettes; in US English, the term competes with 'rolling paper'.
Grammar
How to Use “cigarette paper” in a Sentence
N of cigarette papersV (roll/use) with cigarette paperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cigarette paper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He cigarette-papered the joint expertly. (slang, rare/creative)
American English
- She cigarette-papered the filter for a smoother draw. (rare/creative)
adverb
British English
- The pastry must be rolled cigarette-paper thin. (hyphenated)
American English
- Slice the meat cigarette-paper thin for carpaccio. (hyphenated)
adjective
British English
- The cigarette-paper thinness of the argument was obvious. (figurative, hyphenated)
American English
- He had a cigarette-paper chance of winning. (figurative, hyphenated)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In the tobacco or retail industry, referring to a consumable product.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical or sociological studies of tobacco use.
Everyday
Common when discussing smoking habits, buying supplies.
Technical
In manufacturing, specifying paper porosity, burn rate, and sizing.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cigarette paper”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cigarette paper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cigarette paper”
- Using 'cigarette paper' as uncountable (*'some cigarette paper' is unusual; 'a cigarette paper' or 'some cigarette papers' is correct).
- Confusing it with 'cigarette packet' (the box).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Its primary purpose is to provide a thin, slow-burning, and porous material for rolling tobacco (or other herbs) into a smokable cylinder.
Essentially yes, though 'rolling papers' is a broader, more generic term, while 'cigarette papers' specifies their use for cigarettes. 'Rolling papers' is often preferred in contexts beyond traditional tobacco.
Yes. You refer to a single sheet as 'a cigarette paper'. They are typically sold in booklets or packs, so you buy 'a pack of cigarette papers' or 'some cigarette papers'.
It is a British idiom meaning two things, people, or opinions are so similar that there is no discernible difference between them.
Thin, porous paper specially manufactured for rolling tobacco into a cigarette.
Cigarette paper is usually neutral to informal; technical in a tobacco/consumable context. in register.
Cigarette paper: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪɡ.əˈret ˌpeɪ.pər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪɡ.ə.ret ˌpeɪ.pɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Couldn't tell them apart with a cigarette paper (UK): means two things are virtually identical.”
- “Not worth a cigarette paper: means something is worthless or flimsy.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the two words: CIGARETTE (the thing you smoke) + PAPER (what it's rolled in). The paper is FOR a cigarette.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINNESS IS INSUBSTANTIALITY ('as thin as cigarette paper').
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase uses 'cigarette paper' figuratively?