# Marlboro

/ˈmɑɹɫbɝoʊ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/marlboro
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a famous brand of cigarettes known for its red and white packaging and cowboy advertisements.

For teachers: a prominent brand of cigarettes manufactured by Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris International. Often used as a genericized reference to commercial tobacco products in cultural studies.

## Examples

- He bought a pack of Marlboro at the gas station.
- The marketing campaign for Marlboro transformed the brand's image from a feminine product to a symbol of rugged masculinity.
- The ubiquity of the Marlboro Man in mid-century advertising serves as a primary case study for how visual semiotics can redefine a brand's target demographic.

## Usage notes

- Capitalized as a proper noun; can be used as a countable noun when referring to a single cigarette or a pack.

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