potpourri

noun

pot·​pour·​ri ˌpō-pu̇-ˈrē How to pronounce potpourri (audio)
1
: a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices that is usually kept in a jar and used for scent
2
: a miscellaneous collection : medley
a potpourri of the best songs and sketchesCurrent Biography

Examples of potpourri in a Sentence

The festival was a musical potpourri—performances included folk, jazz, blues, and rap music. a potpourri of hit songs from the last 10 years
Recent Examples on the Web Across town, editors bounced around in a potpourri of checks and plaids, reimagined trench coats, and quintessential London grays. Megan O'Sullivan, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2024 Carneros Pinot Noir, $47 This bold Pinot Noir is fresh and expressive, with nuanced layers of pink peppercorn, pomegranate, and leather supported by a hint of floral potpourri that exemplify why Etude is known for making some of the best Pinot Noirs in California. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 This battery’s cathode was a potpourri of three different lithium-containing materials. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Jan. 2024 In the past, floral fragrances were considered too childish or comparable to Grandma's potpourri, but now scents have complex notes worthy of signature status and a place on our best fragrances list. Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 24 Jan. 2024 The suits combined that evidence with a potpourri of baseless claims, including that rogue actors from Iran and China, as well as Venezuelan communists, played a hidden role in rigging machines. Amy Gardner, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2024 Individuals may apply oils to pulse joints, use aroma sprays or potpourri, or add essential oils to flowers. Sophie Okolo, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 Luxe potpourri Make someone’s stocking smell divine with this Santa Maria Novella potpourri bag, which features notes of bergamot, lavender, thyme and rosemary. Bellamy Richardson, wsj.com, 8 Nov. 2023 Between the Buttons, however, is a fetchingly bespoke potpourri of pop styles, its sound largely shaped by Jones jumping around the studio laying down overdubs of dulcimer, kazoo, tuba, recorder, accordion, and vibraphone. Al Shipley, SPIN, 17 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potpourri.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French pot pourri, literally, rotten pot

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of potpourri was in 1749

Dictionary Entries Near potpourri

Cite this Entry

“Potpourri.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potpourri. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

potpourri

noun
pot·​pour·​ri ˌpō-pu̇-ˈrē How to pronounce potpourri (audio)
1
: a jar of flower petals and spices used for scent
2
: a miscellaneous collection : medley

More from Merriam-Webster on potpourri

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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