cerilla
“cerilla” means “match” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
match
Also: taper
📝 In Action
¿Tienes una cerilla para encender la vela?
A1Do you have a match to light the candle?
Guardó las cerillas en un lugar seco para que no se estropearan.
B1He kept the matches in a dry place so they wouldn't get ruined.
Raspa la cerilla contra la caja con cuidado.
B2Strike the match against the box carefully.
earwax
Also: cerumen
📝 In Action
El médico me quitó un tapón de cerilla.
B1The doctor removed an earwax blockage from me.
Es normal tener un poco de cerilla en los oídos.
B1It is normal to have a bit of earwax in your ears.
No uses bastoncillos para limpiar la cerilla.
B2Don't use cotton swabs to clean earwax.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cerilla
Question 1 of 3
If you are in Madrid and need to light a cigarette, what should you ask for?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish word 'cera' (wax), combined with a 'little' ending (-illa). Historically, matches were often thin wicks coated in wax, similar to tiny candles.
First recorded: 17th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cerilla' and 'fósforo' the same thing?
Yes, they both mean 'match.' 'Cerilla' is the preferred term in Spain, while 'fósforo' is the standard term in Latin America.
Why does the word mean both 'match' and 'earwax'?
Both meanings come from the word 'cera' (wax). Earwax is a waxy substance, and the first matches were made of wax-coated threads.
Can I use 'cerilla' to mean the wax of a candle?
No, candle wax is simply 'cera.' 'Cerilla' specifically refers to the small stick (match) or the substance in your ear.