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

Menardo expanded it with saffron, Calvados and rose, intensified the patchouli and leather, and added an amber accord. — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

This warm, spicy, and slightly sweet fragrance is also a fabulous fall aroma, thanks to its blend of Violet leaf, cassis, jasmine, cinnamon, oakmoss, patchouli, vanilla, and caramel. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 2 Sep. 2026

Edition Hotels has captured its signature scent in this delicious candle, with notes of black tea, earthy patchouli, cedarwood, warm musk, bergamot, and more. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

The absolu edition gives the rose a smokier treatment, layering it with blackcurrant, saffron, and patchouli. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026

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
• foully
• hooley