vetiver

noun

vet·​i·​ver ˈve-tə-vər How to pronounce vetiver (audio)
: a tall perennial grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) of southeastern Asia cultivated in warm regions especially for its fragrant roots which are used especially in woven goods (such as mats) and in perfumes
also : its root

Examples of vetiver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Top notes of black cherry and cherry liqueur get a bitter edge with almond, while jasmine, sandalwood, vetiver, and cedarwood add a sultry, woodsy edge—as if cherries sprang from moonlight forests instead of sunlit orchards. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2024 Each of the wholly natural scents contains vetiver. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019 Opening with sweet spices of cardamom — whose woodsy notes recall the dry desert heat — the nose moves to cedarwood in the middle; while a smoky vetiver and silk meets a crisp papyrus at the end. Kate Donnelly, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Its intoxicating scent pairs citrus notes of bergamot and ginger with cedarwood and vetiver for a fresh twist on your typically woody perfume. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vetiver 

Word History

Etymology

French vétiver, from Tamil veṭṭivēr

First Known Use

circa 1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vetiver was circa 1858

Dictionary Entries Near vetiver

Cite this Entry

“Vetiver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vetiver. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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