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

The essential oils on top of the martini give an extra brightness. — The Editors, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2026

All use essential oils, such as coconut, jojoba, and lavender, and range from a 60-minute foot therapy with peppermint and sea salt to an indulgent Rejuvenating Aromatherapy treatment that claims to improve sleep. — Norm Bour, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026

This means turning to the internet to learn about red dyes, additives, food as medicine, essential oils, and when to apply a garlic poultice to the bottom of your feet. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Cedarwood Oil Cedarwood is another essential oil with an unpleasant smell to mice as well as other pests. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 28 Aug. 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