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
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Remember that essential oils, while natural, are not risk-free. Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Combine melted beeswax with an assortment of oils, such as palm oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil, scented essential oils, water, and lye. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024 These aromatherapy releasing shower steamers are going to fill your shower with the wonderful smell of natural essential oils. Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2024 Its signature grape extract and essential oils can be spritzed on before or after makeup application, to refresh skin after a workout, to give yourself a moment of relaxation, and, of course, to get skin glowing on demand. Allure, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for essential oil 

Word History

First Known Use

1674, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of essential oil was in 1674

Dictionary Entries Near essential oil

Cite this Entry

“Essential oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essential%20oil. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on essential oil

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