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cigarette lighter

cigarette lighter

12 1.3
A small device that makes a flame to light a cigarette, cigar, or candle
  • noun
  • /ˈsɪɡəˌrɛt ˈlaɪtər/
translation icon : encendedor
  • There is a connector available that allows the use of a car cigarette lighter to recharge batteries.
  • plugged into the cigarette lighter

If you're really a cool green beret, you got the Zippo cigarette lighter.

Examples

  • Ashtrays were numerous around the house, and the Ronson cigarette lighter was the classy lighter of choice.

    Blog text (34)
  • You just better hope that that cigarette lighter works.

  • Well, I left my cigarette lighter in here this morning.

  • That cigarette lighter never did work anyway.

  • And I have a cigarette lighter that doesn't work.

  • That's the cigarette lighter I gave you for Christmas, isn't it?

  • I reached into a pocket, took out a cigarette lighter, and flicked it alight.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • "All right, who has a match?" Daisy asked, and Bruno, Marty, and David all pulled cigarette lighters from their pockets.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Mote smoothly palmed a cigarette lighter from the display next to the Swisher Sweets and left.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I reached into my pocket, took out my cigarette lighter, and flicked it alight to light my cigar.

Synonyms

lighter
vscigarette lighter
15 1.3

A small thing that makes a flame to light cigarettes or candles

is specifically a small device for lighting tobacco products not a substance
cigar lighter
vscigarette lighter
1 3.2

A small tool that makes a flame to light cigars or cigarettes

focuses on creating a steady flame rather than spark ignition
pocket lighter
vscigarette lighter
2.7

A small object you carry that makes a flame to light cigarettes or candles

is the general small device not defined by ease of carrying
briquet
vscigarette lighter
8.6

A small device that makes a flame for lighting cigarettes or candles

is focused on tobacco use rather than broader household lighting

How Hot

blowtorch
  • Specialized
16 4.6
torch
43 1.0
cigarette lighter
12 1.3
match
176 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

cigarette + lighter

The meaning is directly compositional: 'cigarette' identifies the object being lit and 'lighter' names a portable flame-producing device, so together they denote a lighter used for cigarettes. This noun–noun compound follows a widespread, transparent compounding pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The name cigarette lighter comes from the simple idea of a small lighter used for a cigarette; imagine taking a tiny flame from your pocket and touching the cigarette's tip. That's why it means 'a small device used to create a flame' today.