patchouli

noun

patch·​ou·​li pə-ˈchü-lē 

also

ˈpa-chə-lē 

variants or less commonly patchouly

: a heavy perfume made from the fragrant essential oil of a southeast Asian mint (Pogostemon cablin)

also : the plant itself

Examples of patchouli in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As 1272 dries down, floral notes come to the fore along with grounding patchouli, leading its wearer from golden hour to twilight and preparing the nose for a base of vetiver, sandalwood, ambery Cistus, and tonka. —Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Robb Report, 15 June 2025

Fragrance family: Floral Notes: Jasmine, patchouli, rangoon creeper flower Size: 1.6 fl. oz. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 11 June 2025

Try Floral Street’s Iris Goddess Eau de Parfum, $97, with orris, lemon zest and chilli powder, and Chypre Sublime Eau de Parfum, $97, with violets, patchouli and incense. —Jacqueline Kilikita, Refinery29, 10 June 2025

The leather emerges slowly, accompanied by earthy patchouli and oakmoss that add considerable depth and complexity. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 11 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Tamil paccuḷi

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for patchouli

• bernoulli
• lazuli
• unduly
• unruly
• cooley
• coolly
• cooly
• coulee
• cruelly
• duly
• hooley
• muley