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

Two of Cho’s tips for travel are to clear your space upon arrival with essential oils or sage, and to unpack your belongings right away, giving them room to stretch. —Kyle Lucia Wu, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Feb. 2026

In fact, some research has shown that rosemary oil shows similar results to minoxidil, a popular hair loss treatment, after using the essential oil for six months. —Erika Reals, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026

Doterra essential oils Founded in 2008, Doterra is a much newer company than Young Living. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026

Make working from home more enjoyable with a clever USB desk fan ($8) and soothing essential oil diffuser ($8). —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 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