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

With peppy opening notes spliced with mandarin orange, Coco Mademoiselle has a heart of jasmine and rose and a creamy, woody base of tonka bean, vanilla, patchouli, vetiver, and white musk. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Apr. 2025

Originally released in 1965, Habit Rouge features woody and leather notes, and balanced by the warm sweetness of vanilla and earthy patchouli. —Alfredo Mineo, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2025

The Japanese-style incense burn for 25 minutes, with scent notes of carnation, leather, patchouli and tobacco and reveal a luscious and powerful mood. —Emma Sandler, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Dark Rose, my current favorite, balances floral, fruity, and woody notes with a blend of plum, pink peppercorn, black rose, vanilla, and patchouli. —Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025

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
• hooley
• muley