potpourri

[poh-poo-ree, poh-poo-ree]

noun

1. a mixture of dried petals of roses or other flowers with spices, kept in a jar for their fragrance.

2. a musical medley.

3. a collection of miscellaneous literary extracts.

4. any mixture, especially of unrelated objects, subjects, etc.

   Synonyms: patchwork, mishmash, hodgepodge, pastiche

potpourri

/ ˌpəʊˈpʊərɪ /

noun

1. a collection of mixed flower petals dried and preserved in a pot to scent the air

2. a collection of unrelated or disparate items; miscellany

3. a medley of popular tunes

4. a stew of meat and vegetables

Word History and Origins

Origin of potpourri¹

1605–15; < French: literally, rotten pot, translation of Spanish olla podrida olla podrida; pot ¹, putrid

Word History and Origins

Origin of potpourri¹

C18: from French, literally: rotten pot, translation of Spanish olla podrida miscellany

Example Sentences

After dropping out of college in 2001, he spent the next couple of decades in a potpourri of roles: produce-company account manager, stay-at-home dad, podcast host, manager of an Outback Steakhouse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

San Bernardino County prosecutors had charged the eight with a potpourri of felonies ranging from false imprisonment to conspiracy to assault and had successfully convinced a judge to deny bail to all but one.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Reddit has a large audience that religiously visits the service to discuss a potpourri of subjects that range from silly memes to existential worries, as well as get recommendations from like-minded people.

Read more on Seattle Times

This 17.5-ounce spray bottle holds an unspecified watery purple liquid that smells like potpourri, and the bottle’s label claims it repels Barbarians on contact.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Great Wolf Lodge is featuring a Pumpkin Spice Suite at five of its resorts this fall, decked out with potpourri, pumpkin throw pillows and bottomless pumpkin spice lattes.

Read more on Washington Times