What does cigarillo mean?
A cigarillo is a small, slender cigar, noticeably shorter and thinner than a conventional cigar and often closer in size to a cigarette, though made of tobacco leaf rather than finely shredded tobacco wrapped in paper. Cigarillos are frequently sold in small packs or tins and are smoked much like cigarettes, making them a quicker and often less expensive option for people who enjoy the flavor of cigar tobacco without committing to a full-length cigar. The name comes from Spanish, where the diminutive suffix '-illo' means 'little,' so the word literally translates as 'small cigar' — a pattern also seen in 'cigarette,' which derives from French diminutives of the same root. In everyday use, the term appears in phrases such as 'a pack of cigarillos' or 'to light a cigarillo.' It carries a neutral register across British and American English and refers consistently to this single object.
nounA small, slender cigar, typically thinner and shorter than a standard cigar and often thinner than a cigarette in circumference.
- A small, thin cigar, narrower than a standard cigar and often sold in packs like cigarettes.
"He stepped out onto the balcony to smoke a cigarillo before the meeting resumed."
"She bought a tin of cigarillos for the evening gathering."
"The detective lit a slim cigarillo and watched the rain streak the office window."
Standard plural formation; commonly used when referring to quantities or packs of cigarillos.
"He picked up two packs of cigarillos at the shop."
The word 'armadillo' literally means 'little armored one' — and 'cigarillo' works exactly the same way: it's Spanish for 'little cigar.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cigarillo
The word 'cigarillo' originates from Spanish, formed from 'cigarro' (the Spanish word for cigar) combined with the diminutive suffix '-illo', meaning 'little.' Tobacco and cigar terminology entered European languages following contact with the Americas in the sixteenth century. English adopted 'cigarillo' as a borrowing from Spanish, retaining its sense of a smaller, slimmer form of the cigar. Related words sharing this lineage include 'cigar' itself, borrowed into English via Spanish, and 'cigarette,' which follows an analogous French path using the diminutive suffix '-ette'.
How cigarillo is actually used
Cigarillos are generally considered a casual or convenience alternative to full-size cigars. The plural 'cigarillos' is standard; the word carries no strong register — neutral in both British and American English.
Easily confused with cigarillo
A cigarillo is made of whole or chopped tobacco leaf like a cigar (and is not usually filtered), whereas a cigarette consists of finely cut tobacco wrapped in paper.
A cigarillo is simply a smaller, thinner version of a cigar, typically shorter and more slender.