2 syllables: Ci, gar. Stress on gar.
sig-AHR
/sɪˈɡɑɹ/
Cigar is pronounced sig-AHR (/sɪˈɡɑɹ/). It has two syllables (Ci-gar), with the stress on "gar". Cigar is a noun for a tightly rolled bundle of cured tobacco leaves designed for smoking. It refers to a singular smokeable stick or the product itself, often with a distinctive cylindrical shape and wrapper. The term encompasses a range of sizes and blends, and may be used in casual or formal contexts when discussing tobacco products or social smoking occasions.
nounCigar is a noun for a tightly rolled bundle of cured tobacco leaves designed for smoking. It refers to a singular smokeable stick or the product itself, often with a distinctive cylindrical shape and wrapper. The term encompasses a range of sizes and blends, and may be used in casual or formal contexts when discussing tobacco products or social smoking occasions.
- Misplacing stress on the first syllable or making the second syllable too short. Focus on si-GAR with a strong, deliberate /ɡɑːɹ/ or /ɡɑː/ ending depending on accent. - Slurring the /ɡ/ or making the /ɑː/ too short; ensure a crisp g release and a long vowel. - Ending with a flat, unstressed /r/ in non-rhotic accents; emphasize the trailing vowel or slight rhotic end to keep natural rhythm. - Overemphasizing the initial /s/ or mispronouncing /ɪ/; keep the first vowel short, then move quickly to /ɡ/.
How to Pronounce Cigar
"He lit a premium cigar and watched the embers glow."
"The cigar club met every Friday to sample new blends."
"She savored the aroma of the Cuban cigar before taking a slow puff."
Pronounce as sɪˈɡɑːr in most dialects. Stress is on the second syllable: si-GAR. Start with a short, lax s- sound, then the short i as in sit, then a hard g with the back of the tongue, and finish with a drawn-out ar (/ɑːr/). In US and some UK varieties you’ll hear a rhotic ending in most contexts: /sɪˈɡɑɹ/. Audio references: consult reputable dictionaries or pronunciation tutorials to hear the final rhotic or non-rhotic endings in your target accent.
Common errors include misplacing stress (stressing the first syllable too much) and mispronouncing the final /r/ as a rolled or non-existent sound. Another frequent mistake is associating the second syllable with a short /ɪ/ like 'sig-ar' instead of the /ɑː/ vowel. Tip: practice si-GAR with a crisp /ɡ/ and a clear, prolonged final /ɹ/ in rhotic accents. Use minimal pairs to refine the vowel length and consonant clarity.
In US: rhotic /ɹ/ ending, final /ɹ/ clearly pronounced; /ɪ/ in first syllable is short. In UK: often non-rhotic, the final /ɹ/ may be weaker or realized as a vowel-like schwa before a silent /r/ in some speakers, with the final vowel length varying. In Australian: typically non-rhotic as well, but vowel qualities shift toward broader /ɑː/ and the /ɹ/ is often not strongly pronounced. Focus on /sɪˈɡɑː/ or /sɪˈɡɑː(ɹ)/ depending on region.
Key challenges are the second-syllable vowel /ɑː/ in many dialects and the final /ɹ/ or lack thereof. The sequence /ɡɑːr/ requires back-of-tongue elevation and a clear release before the rhotic or trailing vowel. For some speakers, the tight /ɡ/ followed by a long open vowel can blur into a /ɡə/ or /ɡər/. Practicing with minimal pairs focusing on /ɪ/ vs /iː/ and /ɑː/ helps solidify the intended rhythm.
Typically the final 'ar' is pronounced as a broad /ɑː/ or /ɑr/ depending on accent. In rhotic dialects you will hear an /ɹ/ or a clear /ɹ/ at the end, sounding like 'car' with a trailing /ɹ/. In non-rhotic accents, the final r may be weaker or elided, making it closer to /kæˈɡɑː/ or /siˈɡɑː/. Practice both rhotic and non-rhotic endings to match your target audience.
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- US: emphasize rhotic /ɹ/; the final r is pronounced clearly; keep /ɪ/ short and northern American vowels are pronounced with crisp, snappy consonants. - UK: often non-rhotic; the final /ɹ/ may be muted; the second syllable /ɑː/ should be long and open; ensure a clear /ɡ/ before it. - AU: similar to UK in rhoticity; may have broader vowel quality; watch for relaxed final /ɹ/; keep the /ɑː/ length but avoid reducing it too much. IPA references: /sɪˈɡɑː/ US and many UK, /sɪˈɡɑː(ɹ)/ in rhotic varieties.
Cigar comes from the Spanish word cigarro, which itself likely derives from the Mayan word or from a Caribbean or Peninsular usage during the 16th century, with early references in Spanish and French texts describing rolled tobaccos. The term spread to English in the 18th century, sometimes written as cigarre or cigarr, reflecting adaptions of the Spanish spelling and phonology. The root sense centers on a rolled tobacco product designed for hand-rolling and individual consumption. Over time, as cigar variations emerged worldwide (Cuban, Dominican, Nicaraguan, etc.), the word retained its core meaning of a tobacco-filled rolled leaf product, while wrappers and blends became marketing differentiators. By the 19th and 20th centuries, cigars became associated with status and leisure in many cultures, expanding into premium branding and international trade. The pronunciation crystallized in English with emphasis typically on the first syllable, though some dialects shift the vowel quality of 'i' and the final 'ar' toward broader or tighter diphthongs depending on regional influence. First known English attestations hover around the 1700s as global trade in tobacco intensified and cigar culture began to form in ports and colonial cities.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Cigar" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Cigar"
-zar sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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