Meaning & use
patchouli
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
A bushy plant from tropical Asia whose leaves have a strong, earthy smell.
Grammar: Countable when talking about individual plants; uncountable when talking about the material or dried leaves.
Patterns
- patchouli plant
- patchouli leaves
Patchouli grows well in warm, humid climates.
The garden had a bed of patchouli near the entrance.
Dried patchouli is sometimes used in sachets.
noununcountable
A fragrant oil made from the patchouli plant, used in perfumes and incense.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used before another noun: patchouli oil, patchouli scent.
Patterns
- patchouli oil
- patchouli scent
- smell of patchouli
She wears a perfume with patchouli and vanilla.
The shop smelled of patchouli and sandalwood.
Patchouli oil is popular in aromatherapy.
Common combinations
- patchouli oil
- He added a few drops of patchouli oil to the diffuser.
- patchouli scent
- The candle had a warm patchouli scent.
- smell of patchouli
- The room had the distinctive smell of patchouli.
- patchouli plant
- The patchouli plant needs plenty of water.
Commonly confused: patchouli or petunia?
patchouli vs petunia
Petunia is a different flowering plant, often grown in gardens for its colorful flowers; patchouli is grown mainly for its fragrant leaves.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'patchouli' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Patchouli' refers to a plant or its fragrant oil, so it fits with 'scent'. The other options treat it as food, metal, or a vehicle, which is wrong.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “patchouli”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.