petrichor
noun
The pleasant, earthy smell produced when rain falls on dry soil, especially after a long dry spell.
Etymology
Coined in 1964 by Australian scientists Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Thomas, from Greek petra "stone" + ichor "the fluid flowing in the veins of the gods."
Examples in Use
- 1.
"The petrichor after the first spring rain was intoxicating."
- 2.
"Desert dwellers know the distinctive petrichor that follows rare storms."
- 3.
"The garden filled with petrichor as raindrops hit the parched earth."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
Petrichor is caused by geosmin, a chemical released by soil bacteria when moistened. Humans can detect geosmin at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion—we are 200,000 times more sensitive to it than sharks are to blood.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 9 letters (P, E, T, R, I, C, H, O, R)
Scrabble Value: 16 points
Tip: Words ending in "OR" are often good scoring opportunities.
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