essential oil

American  

noun

essential oils plural

1. any of a class of volatile oils obtained from plants, possessing the odor and other characteristic properties of the plant, used chiefly in the manufacture of perfumes, flavors, and pharmaceuticals.

---

essential oil British  

noun

1. any of various volatile organic oils present in plants, usually containing terpenes and esters and having the odour or flavour of the plant from which they are extracted: used in flavouring and perfumery Compare fixed oil See also oleoresin

---

essential oil Scientific  

/ ĭ-sĕn′shəl /

1. Any of various volatile liquids, such as rose oil or lavender oil, that have a characteristic odor and are produced by plants. Essential oils are composed primarily of terpenes and of lesser quantities of alcohols, aldehydes, esters, phenols, and other compounds that impart particular odors or flavors. They are used to make perfumes, soaps, flavorings, and other products.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• essential oils
  plural

Etymology

Origin of essential oil

First recorded in 1665–75

Example Sentences

With its earthy sweet scent, this essential oil also is used in the food industry and topically in various cosmetic preparations.

From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2024

Give a spa day with a luxurious collection of Washington-made body care, including Handmade La Conner sugar scrub, Keepers Collective whipped body butter and Orcasong Farm organic lavender essential oil.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2023

One of the main attractions of the festival is a lavender essential oil distillation demonstration, usually run by Tina Kummerle, president of Highland Springs Resort, which houses 123 Farm.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2023

For dispersion options, Sullivan recommends using a reed diffuser — sticks that soak up oil scents and emit aromas — or a mister-type diffuser that sprays the essential oil in water.

From Washington Post • Feb. 22, 2023

On school nights, she used to do my hair, and I could smell the jasmine-scented essential oil she dabbed on her wrists.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold