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

According to the brand this is a modern take on the classic chypre with gardenia at the heart, plus wild strawberry, brown sugar, patchouli, and vanilla. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 1 Dec. 2025

Cousin Who ‘Gardens’ Serviette Sour Diesel, $175 Founder-perfumer Trey Taylor’s heady blend of kush, pink pepper, patchouli and rhubarb evokes the kind of silage that a cannabis enthusiast’s dreams are made of. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 25 Nov. 2025

First is the cult-favorite Armani Beauty Acqua di Giò with notes of mandarin, lavender, and patchouli. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2025

The bold scent blends cannabis, leather, and patchouli to bring a sophisticated, yet earthy vibe any guy would want for his bachelor pad. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 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