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Petrichor
PET-ri-kor
noun
The earthy, pleasant scent produced when rain falls on dry soil, rock, or pavement.
Etymology
Coined in 1964 by Australian scientists Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Thomas. Derived from Greek *petra* (πέτρα) meaning "stone" and *ichor* (ἰχώρ), the ethereal fluid that flows in the veins of the gods in Greek mythology.
Usage Examples
- —“After weeks of drought, the petrichor was absolutely intoxicating.”
- —“She opened the window just to breathe in the petrichor after the summer storm.”
- —“The petrichor reminded him of childhood summers in the countryside.”
Fun Fact
The smell is actually caused by a combination of plant oils and a chemical called geosmin, which is produced by bacteria in the soil. Our noses are incredibly sensitive to geosmin—we can detect it at concentrations as low as 5 parts per trillion!