essential oil

noun

: any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy compare fixed oil

Examples of essential oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This essential oil diffuser features a large, easy-to-clean water tank and several mist-nebulization modes for effective aromatherapy. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Those compounds are naturally present in sweat or urine, and some pheromone perfumes also blend in essential oils to round out the scent. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026

Some pheromone perfumes also contain essential oils to round out the scent profile. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

This brand specializes in aromatherapy, utilizing essential oil blends to create a relaxing atmosphere in minutes. — Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 19 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for essential oil

• aerofoil
• cinquefoil
• hydrofoil
• quatrefoil
• airfoil
• benzoyl
• despoil
• embroil
• etoile
• gargoyle
• recoil
• subsoil

Medical Definition

essential oil

noun

: any of a large class of volatile odoriferous oils of vegetable origin that give plants their characteristic odors and often other properties, that are obtained from various parts of the plants (as flowers, leaves, or bark) by steam distillation, expression, or extraction, that are usually mixtures of compounds (as aldehydes or esters), and that are used often in the form of essences in perfumes, flavorings, and pharmaceutical preparations

called also ethereal oil, volatile oil

compare fatty oil, fixed oil