Meaning, in detail
Petrichor is the earthy scent associated with rain falling on ground that has been dry. It names a recognisable sensory experience rather than rain itself or the smell of any wet surface.
The scent involves substances from the ground, including plant oils and geosmin. In ordinary writing, the word is useful when you want to evoke the atmosphere just after a shower without describing the whole scene.
Pronunciation
PET-ruh-kor
IPA transcription or a simplified reading guide. Pronunciation can vary with accent.Where does it come from?
The name combines Greek-derived elements associated with stone and ichor, the fluid of the gods in mythology. The rocky part of the name reflects the material from which the scent arises.
Use it in a sentence
Petrichor rose from the garden as the first drops reached the soil.
She opened the window to let the cool air and petrichor into the room.Original examples written for Puzzoria.
Did you know?
The word was introduced in a 1964 paper by Australian researchers Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Grenfell Thomas. A familiar smell received a surprisingly recent name.