3 syllables: ci, ga, rette. Stress on rette.
/ˌsɪɡɚˈɛt/
cigarette is pronounced /ˌsɪɡɚˈɛt/. It has three syllables (ci-ga-rette), with the stress on "rette". A smoky-tasting, inhaled tobacco product that users light with a flame. The word also refers to the act of smoking a cigarette. In everyday language, it appears in slang and formal contexts, with stress patterns typical of multisyllabic English words. It denotes both the item and the activity, and is widely understood across English-speaking regions.
Say it backA smoky-tasting, inhaled tobacco product that users light with a flame. The word also refers to the act of smoking a cigarette. In everyday language, it appears in slang and formal contexts, with stress patterns typical of multisyllabic English words. It denotes both the item and the activity, and is widely understood across English-speaking regions.
"She stepped outside for a quick cigarette break between meetings."
"The cigarette package advised reducing intake to minimize health risks."
"He offered me a cigarette, but I declined politely."
- Pronunciation: /ˌsɪɡəˈrɛt/ (US/UK/AU). Primary stress on the last syllable: -reʔt. Start with /s/ then /ɪ/ (short i), follow with /ɡə/ (a light, schwa-like middle), then /ˈrɛt/ with a clear /ɛ/ and final /t/. Focus on keeping the middle syllable short and avoiding a prolonged /ɡə/ in rapid speech. If you hear “sig-uh-RET” in fast talk, that’s common; aim for the unstressed middle and a crisp final /t/. Audio example from reputable dictionaries can help confirm the timing.
Common errors: 1) Overemphasizing the middle syllable /ˈɡəɹ/ or misplacing stress on the second syllable, leading to /ˌsɪɡəˈrɛt/ sounding off; 2) Turning /ˌsɪɡəˈrɛt/ into /ˌsɪɡəˈɹʌt/ by making the final vowel too open. Corrections: keep the final /t/ as a crisp stop, avoid a vowel before it; keep the middle /ə/ as a short, unstressed schwa; practice with minimal pairs like "sig-uh-RET" vs. "sig-uh-RAHT" to feel the distinction.
In US, UK, and AU, the core /ˌsɪɡəˈrɛt/ remains, with rhoticity influencing only surrounding vowels; rhotic US may slightly color the /r/ in the unstressed middle, while non-rhotic UK and most AU varieties keep a softer /ɹ/ but not fully rhotic in syllables after the stressed one. Vowel quality can vary: US often achieves a clearer /ɛ/; UK may have a shorter /ɪ/ in the first syllable, AU blends vowels more evenly. Overall, stress pattern is similar; accent differences center on vowel quality and rhoticity.
Difficulty comes from the multi-syllabic structure and the final unstressed syllable with a tense vowel before a final /t/. The sequence /ɡəˈrɛt/ can tempt listeners to misplace the stress or reduce the /ɡ/ into a blend, while the final /t/ can be elided in rapid speech. Additionally, speakers often reduce the middle syllable to a barely audible schwa. Focus on a clean, clear /t/ and stable middle schwa to maintain intelligibility.
A key nuance is the second syllable’s reduction: /ɡə/ should be a quick, unobtrusive schwa; overemphasizing it creates a clumsy rhythm. The final syllable carries strong, crisp /ˈrɛt/, not a rounded /ɜː/ or /iː/; keeping the /ɛ/ clear helps maintain naturality in both American and British speech. Listening to authoritative sources (dictionaries, native speech) can reveal subtle timing that’s easy to miss.
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The word cigarette traces to French cigarette, diminutive of cigare, which in turn comes from Italian sigaro, from Latin sigarium, a word for cigars. The French form appeared in the 18th century as portable, hand-rolled tobacco products became popular. Early English usage adopted the term in the 19th century as mass production and marketing of cigarettes accelerated. Over time, cigarette referred to both the product and the act of smoking it. The pronunciation shift in American English often reduces the final -ette to a quick /ət/ or /ɪt/ while maintaining the stressed first syllable. The word’s evolution reflects social and health discourse surrounding tobacco, from luxury items to mass-market consumables, and now to public health discussions and regulation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cigarette" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cigarette" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cigarette" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "cigarette"
-tte sounds
-net sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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