cigar
n.-
1 tobacco roll (n.) B1 Intermediatea roll of dried tobacco leaves that you smoke.
a cylinder of tobacco rolled and wrapped with an outer covering of tobacco leaves, intended to be smoked.
ExampleHe sat on the porch after dinner and lit a cigar.
ExampleThe guest of honour celebrated the victory by lighting an expensive Cuban cigar, filling the room with a thick, aromatic smoke.
- stogie
- cheroot
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2 a reward or success (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala prize or success, usually used in the phrase 'close, but no cigar'.
a metaphorical prize or acknowledgement of success; almost exclusively used in the negative idiom 'close, but no cigar' to indicate a near-miss.
ExampleYour guess was very near the right answer, but no cigar.
ExampleThe startup's pitch was impressive and nearly secured the funding, but ultimately it was a case of 'close, but no cigar' as the investors backed a rival.
UsageCommonly used in the fixed idiomatic expression 'close, but no cigar'.
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3 vulgar slang for penis (n.) C2 Proficiency Slang Vulgara very informal and rude word for the penis.
a vulgar slang term for the penis, used in highly informal or crude contexts.
ExampleThe comedian made a crude joke involving a cigar.
ExampleThe script was rejected by the studio for containing too many vulgar double entendres involving cigars and other phallic imagery.
Teacher's tipThis sense is highly vulgar and rare in standard conversation; learners should avoid using it to prevent causing offense.
From Spanish cigarro, of uncertain origin. See that entry for more information.