How to pronounce petrichor
Say it like PET-rih-kor. Petrichor has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce petrichor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PET
- rih
- kor
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Petrichor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- korGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of petrichor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: PET-rih-kuh.
What does petrichor mean?
- The distinctive scent, caused by geosmin, which accompanies the first rain after a long, warm, dry spell.
- The yellow organic oil that yields this scent.
Where does petrichor come from?
Coined by Australian scientist Richard Grenfell Thomas in 1964 for the article “Nature of Argillaceous Odour”, co-authored by Isabel Joy Bear and published in the journal Nature.
Questions about saying petrichor
How do you pronounce petrichor?
Say PET-rih-kor. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛtrɪˌkɔr/. In British English it is /ˈpɛtrɪkə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in petrichor?
Petrichor has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PET). Broken into parts: PET · rih · kor.
Is petrichor pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈpɛtrɪkə/ (PET-rih-kuh).