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Definition of petrichor

petrichor

/ˈpɛtrɪkɔːr/
pet · ri · chor
Adjective:petrichorous
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petrichor Lexical Profile

petrichor Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A pleasant, earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil or rock, caused by the release of plant oils and the chemical compound geosmin.

Example

"After weeks of summer drought, the sudden thunderstorm filled the garden with the rich, unmistakable aroma of petrichor."

• Nearby Words

petrea
petrel
petri
petrichor
petrification
petrified
petrify

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1964 by Australian researchers Isabel Joy Bear and Richard G. Thomas from Ancient Greek 'petra' (rock, stone) and 'ichor' (the ethereal fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Petrichor. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/petrichor
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