Petrichor

Petrichor

ˈpetrīˌkôr

Noun

  • A pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

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Example Sentences

“I woke up from my nap to the smell of petrichor and the sound of rain coming in from the open window.”

“The mineral scent of petrichor is difficult to describe, but also almost impossible to mistake for anything else.”

“When the air smells of petrichor, it means it has just rained, or perhaps the rain is coming soon.”

Word Origin

English, 1960s

Why this word?

“Petrichor” describes the minerally aroma that fills the air after rain, particularly after a dry spell. The word has ancient Greek roots, but it was coined in the 1960s — “petro-” means “relating to rocks,” and “ichor” comes from the Greek “ikhōr,” which was the liquid that flowed through the veins of the gods.

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ˈnoʊˌsɪzəm