Word meaning

petrichor

noun · PET-rih-kor

What does petrichor mean?

Petrichor means the pleasant, earthy smell that follows rain after a dry spell.

Petrichor in a sentence

“We opened the windows to let in the petrichor.”

Synonyms for petrichor

  • rain scent
  • earthy smell
  • after-rain aroma

Where does petrichor come from?

Coined in 1964 by Australian scientists from Greek petra, "stone," and ichor, the fluid in the veins of the gods.

How to remember petrichor

  • Say it out loud a few times: PET-rih-kor.
  • Write one sentence of your own using petrichor, about something that happened to you today.
  • Quiz yourself tomorrow, in three days, and next week. Spaced reviews are what make new words stick.

More words worth knowing

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  • relish — to enjoy greatly.
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  • halcyon — denoting a past period that was idyllically happy and peaceful.
  • vigilant — keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.
  • paucity — the presence of something in only small or insufficient amounts.

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