How to Pronounce "cigarette"
The correct pronunciation of "cigarette" is sig-uh-RET /ˌsɪɡəˈret/. Tap play to hear it, say it into your mic for a free clarity check, and fix the "CIG-a-rette" habit for good.
cigarette
/ˌsɪɡəˈret/A thin roll of tobacco wrapped in paper for smoking.
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Record yourself saying “cigarette” and get a real, AI-graded pronunciation score with word-by-word feedback — free, no account needed.The Indian-English Mistake: "CIG-a-rette" — and the Fix
| Aspect | Common in India (incorrect) | Correct |
|---|---|---|
| Sounds like | Saying 'CIG-a-rette' with the stress on the first syllable. | sig-uh-RET /ˌsɪɡəˈret/ |
| Stress | Often on the wrong syllable | Third syllable (RET). |
How Do You Pronounce "cigarette"?
"cigarette" is pronounced sig-uh-RET /ˌsɪɡəˈret/. The stress is on the third syllable (RET). As a noun, it means a thin roll of tobacco wrapped in paper for smoking.
In British and Indian-taught English the main stress is on the LAST syllable, RET — not on 'CIG' at the front.
Note: US commonly stresses the first syllable, /ˈsɪɡəret/ ("CIG-uh-ret"); the UK and Indian-taught lead is final-syllable sig-uh-RET.
Say "cigarette" Step by Step
Break the word down, get the stress right, then blend it back together at normal speed. Repeat each step out loud three times.
Break it into syllables
sig-uh-RET — say each part slowly and separately first.
Stress the right part
Third syllable (RET). Make the stressed syllable a little louder and longer.
Nail the key sound
In British and Indian-taught English the main stress is on the LAST syllable, RET — not on 'CIG' at the front.
Blend and repeat
Now say "cigarette" at normal speed: sig-uh-RET. Record yourself and compare.
Minimal-Pair Drills for "cigarette" (2 Minutes, Out Loud)
Say each drill line aloud, slowly first, then at normal speed. On the last drill, use the mic check at the top of this page to test yourself.
CIGAR (si-GAR) → CIGARETTE (sig-uh-RET)
Both push the stress off the first syllable.
NOT CIG-uh-ret — sig-uh-RET
The loud beat is the last one, not the first.
Say at speed: "He lit a cigarette outside."
Keep the stress on RET mid-sentence.
Why "cigarette" Is Tricky — and How to Fix It
Why this happens
Indian English evens the word out and rests on the visible first chunk 'CIG', not the correct RET.
Tip: Build up to a hard final beat: sig-uh-RET.
Hear “cigarette” in a Sentence
Read each line aloud with the same rhythm. The word to listen for is in bold.
He lit a cigarette outside.
Smoking one cigarette a day is still risky.
She stubbed out the cigarette.
Words Related to "cigarette"
Now say it inside a sentence
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Frequently Asked Questions
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