petrichor
noun
A pleasant, distinctive smell frequently accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. The earthy scent that rises from the ground when rain falls.
Etymology
Coined in 1964 by Australian scientists Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Thomas. From Greek "petra" (stone) and "ichor" (the fluid flowing in the veins of gods in Greek mythology).
Examples in Use
- 1.
"After weeks of drought, the petrichor that greeted the first raindrops was heavenly."
- 2.
"She stood on the porch breathing in the petrichor as the storm approached."
- 3.
"The garden released a strong petrichor that reminded him of childhood summers."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
The smell of petrichor is primarily caused by geosmin, a chemical produced by soil bacteria. Humans can detect geosmin at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion, making it one of the most detectable scents.
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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