Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm most commonly originating in salivary glands of head and neck region. Its occurrence elsewhere is rare and extension to thyroid even rarer. We report a 27 year old male who was diagnosed to have features of adenoid cystic carcinoma in fine needle aspirate of the thyroid swelling and subsequently confirmed by histopathology. Extensive search failed to reveal a primary. Awareness of cytology of adenoid cystic carcinoma and unusual presentation can help in making a diagnosis

on cytology.