potpourri

American  

[poh-poo-ree, poh-poo-ree] / ˌpoʊ pʊˈri, ˈpoʊ pʊˌri /

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

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potpourri British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of potpourri

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

Explanation

The noun potpourri can refer to a mixture or collection of seemingly unrelated items, an unusual assortment. You may own a potpourri of books — from classic literature to trashy novels and from Shakespeare's plays to comic books. The noun potpourri often refers to a scented mixture of spices and dried flowers that is usually kept in a decorative bowl or jar and used to perfume a room. What's interesting is that the name for this attractively fragrant mixture comes from the French phrase pot pourri, which literally means "rotten pot." The phrase was used to describe a stew. Clearly, some things translate better than others.

Example Sentences

To make my own, I alchemized a potpourri of sandalwood, hinoki wood, palo santo, mint, patchouli and tachibana orange.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

Doing the same in the U.S. would end needless bureaucracy and a potpourri of repayment plans and provide a safety net for struggling borrowers facing unemployment or health shocks.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

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.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 1, 2023

It smelled like Irish Spring and a little bit like potpourri and like something she couldn't describe any way other than boy.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell