petrichor

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/ˈpɛtrɪkɔːr/
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The earthy smell released when rain meets dry ground, and by extension a fragrance or artistic note that imitates that after-rain scent.

Examples

  • The novel opens with the petrichor of a summer storm.
  • For a moment the whole street smelled of petrichor.
  • A light shower released petrichor from the dry fields.
  • After weeks of heat, the petrichor from the lane was unmistakable.
  • The perfumer built a soft petrichor accord with moss and damp soil notes.

Similar words

earthy accord
earthy scent
soil note
soil aroma
after-rain smell
mineral note
rain scent
rain accord
rain note
wet-earth smell

Meanings

Earthy smell after rain

noun
nature
neutral
The distinctive earthy smell that rises when rain falls on dry soil, stone, or dusty ground.

Examples

  • The first drops hit the path, and petrichor filled the garden.
  • After weeks of heat, the petrichor from the lane was unmistakable.
  • The hikers stopped to enjoy the sudden petrichor rising from the rocks.
  • A light shower released petrichor from the dry fields.
  • For a moment the whole street smelled of petrichor.

Similar words

Rainlike fragrance note

noun
fragrance
neutral
A scent note or accord in perfume, writing, and art that imitates the fresh earthy smell of rain on dry ground.

Examples

  • The perfumer built a soft petrichor accord with moss and damp soil notes.
  • Her new candle balances cedar, violet leaf, and petrichor.
  • The novel opens with the petrichor of a summer storm.
  • A trace of petrichor made the fragrance feel cool and mineral.
  • The exhibition used petrichor to evoke streets after rain.

Similar words

Etymology

Coined in 1964 by Australian researchers Isabel Joy Bear and Richard G. Thomas from Greek petra, meaning stone, and ichor, the mythical fluid in the veins of the gods.

FAQ

What does petrichor mean?

Petrichor means the earthy smell that rises when rain falls on dry soil or stone.

Is petrichor the same as rain?

No. Rain is the water falling from clouds. Petrichor is the smell released when rain reaches dry ground.

Where does petrichor come from?

The word was coined in 1964 from Greek roots meaning stone and the mythical fluid of the gods.

What causes the smell of petrichor?

Plant oils, soil compounds, and geosmin from microbes can be lifted into the air when raindrops strike dry porous ground.

Can petrichor be used in perfume?

Yes. In perfume it can mean a rainlike, wet-earth accord made with notes such as soil, moss, ozone, vetiver, or violet leaf.

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