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cigar lighter

cigar lighter

1 3.2
A small tool that makes a flame to light cigars or cigarettes
  • noun
  • /sɪˈɡɑːr ˈlaɪtər/
translation icon : encendedor de cigarros
  • He always carries a cigar lighter in his pocket for when he enjoys a smoke.

Examples

  • He took out his cigar lighter and offered a light to his friend.

  • Many cars used to come with a built-in cigar lighter on the dashboard.

  • I forgot my cigar lighter at home, so I had to borrow one.

  • He always carries a cigar lighter in his pocket.

  • Do you have a cigar lighter I can borrow?

  • At the party, she used her new cigar lighter to ignite her friend's cigar.

  • He admired the decorative cigar lighter on the coffee table, which was a gift from his grandfather.

Synonyms

lighter
vscigar lighter
15 1.3

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

is narrower and focuses on lighting tobacco products rather than general uses
cigarette lighter
vscigar lighter
12 1.3

A small device that makes a flame to light a cigarette, cigar, or candle

is focused on lighting tobacco products rather than general materials
igniter
vscigar lighter
  • Specialized
5 4.6

A device that makes a flame to start fuel burning

is used for lighting tobacco products rather than engines or fuels
pocket lighter
vscigar lighter
2.7

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

is portable for lighting smoking items but not especially tiny
briquet
vscigar lighter
8.6

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

is specifically made for tobacco products rather than broader fire uses
ignitor
vscigar lighter
  • Specialized
6.7

A small device that makes a spark or flame to light fuel

is intended for lighting tobacco products rather than technical fuel or charge use

How Hot

cigar lighter
1 3.2
match
176 1.0

Surface Forms

cigar lighter singular

Morphology

cigar + lighter

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'cigar' (type/purpose) + 'lighter' (a portable flame-producing tool): a lighter used for cigars. This noun–noun modifier pattern is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will reliably infer the meaning.

Etymology

Cigar lighter comes from a simple image: a small device, a lighter, that makes a flame to light a cigar. Because it was used 'to light' cigars, people called the tool a cigar lighter, and today the phrase means a small, portable device for igniting cigars or cigarettes.