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

My personal favorite of the bunch, this eau de parfum leads with a vibrant orange burst, balanced by a jasmine accord, May rose, patchouli, and vetiver. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 11 Feb. 2025

Opening up with bergamot essence, the perfume has a heart of Iso E Super—a musky, skin-scent classic that melds notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, patchouli, suede, and vetiver. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 8 Feb. 2025

The eau de parfum includes top notes of Madagascar black pepper and Italian mandarin; heart notes of jasmine sambac absolute and rhubarb, and base notes of Indonesian patchouli and skin musk. —James Manso, WWD, 24 Oct. 2024

Her bestseller is Dark Rose, with notes of pink peppercorn, plum, rose, cumin, vanilla, patchouli and labdanum, sold at $150 for 50 ml. or $45 for 10 ml. —Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 4 Feb. 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