Use petrichor for the smell itself, especially after rain reaches dry earth, rather than for rain, damp weather, or nostalgia in general.
Use petrichor for the smell itself, especially after rain reaches dry earth, rather than for rain, damp weather, or nostalgia in general.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The petrichor soaked my coat during the storm. | The rain soaked my coat during the storm. |
| I heard the petrichor on the roof all night. | I heard the rain on the roof all night. |
| The flowers gave off petrichor after watering. | The dry soil gave off petrichor after watering. |
| A strong petrichor covered the city before any rain fell. | A strong smell of ozone covered the city before any rain fell. |
Use petrichor in fragrance contexts for an earthy rain accord, not for every aquatic, clean, or green smell.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| This citrus perfume has a bright petrichor of lemon peel. | This citrus perfume has a bright note of lemon peel. |
| The candle smells like petrichor because it is floral and sweet. | The candle smells floral and sweet, not like petrichor. |
| The ocean accord gives the perfume its petrichor. | The wet-earth accord gives the perfume its petrichor. |
| Vanilla is the main petrichor in this fragrance. | Vanilla is the main note in this fragrance. |
Use the word for an earthy after-rain smell or for a scent designed to suggest it. It is more specific than rain, freshness, or nostalgia.
Petrichor is used for rain itself, sounds of rain, or any fresh smell, though it names an earthy scent released from dry ground.
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.
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.