patchouli

or pach·ou·li, patch·ou·ly

[ pach-oo-lee, puh-choo-lee ]

/ ˈpætʃ ʊ li, pəˈtʃu li /

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noun

a plant, Pogostemon cablin, of tropical Asia, that yields a fragrant oil (patchouli oil ) used in the manufacture of perfumes.

a penetrating perfume made from this oil.

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Origin of patchouli

First recorded in 1835–45, patchouli is from the Tamil word paccuḷi

Words nearby patchouli

patch, patch board, patch cord, Patchen, Patchogue, patchouli, patch pocket, patch quilt, patch reef, patchstand, patch test

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use patchouli in a sentence

I can almost smell the patchouli of his beard oil—which he leaves at my apartment every other week—through the door.
This is what happens when you see the face of someone you love|Tate Ryan-Mosley|August 25, 2021|MIT Technology Review
I could smell the patchouli oil he was wearing as well as the incense that was burning in the studio.
When Gary Wright Met George Harrison: Dream Weaver, John and Yoko, and More|Gary Wright|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An unnatural, degenerate garden, where the trees carry marrons glacs and the flowers are scented with patchouli.
The Devourers|Annie Vivanti Chartres
She filled the hall with her patchouli and shrill vivacity, and presently was gone.
My Little Sister|Elizabeth Robins

The air was hot; the odour of patchouli mingled with the stench of stale garments and the reek of alcohol.
The Trail of '98|Robert W. Service
Pointing to Thomas, she sobbed into a purple silk handkerchief that smelled not faintly of patchouli.
Lightnin'|Frank Bacon
The first thing that struck him on entering was the scent of patchouli, always distasteful to him.
The World's Greatest Books, Vol VIII|Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton, Eds.

British Dictionary definitions for patchouli

patchouli

pachouli or patchouly

/ (ˈpætʃʊlɪ, pəˈtʃuːlɪ) /

noun

any of several Asiatic trees of the genus Pogostemon, the leaves of which yield a heavy fragrant oil: family Lamiaceae (labiates)

the perfume made from this oil

Word Origin for patchouli

C19: from Tamil paccilai, from paccu green + ilai leaf

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012