potpourri
C1Formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
A mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl to perfume a room.
A mixture or medley of various different things, such as ideas, music, or items.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally referred specifically to a fragrant mixture; extended meaning emphasizes eclectic variety rather than harmonious unity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though the extended 'mixture' meaning may be slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Often implies a charming, somewhat old-fashioned, or pleasantly unsystematic collection.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties; more common in written than spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a potpourri of [plural noun]the evening was a potpourri of [plural noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly 'The report was a potpourri of outdated statistics and anecdotal evidence.'
Academic
Occasional in humanities: 'Her thesis presents a fascinating potpourri of feminist theory and historical analysis.'
Everyday
Rare. Most commonly refers to the scented dried flowers.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She keeps a bowl of lavender potpourri on the dressing table.
- The festival offered a potpourri of world music and dance.
American English
- The gift shop sold sachets of rose petal potpourri.
- His lecture was a potpourri of personal anecdotes and historical facts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandma has potpourri in a bowl. It smells nice.
- I bought some potpourri to make my room smell like flowers.
- The magazine is a potpourri of fashion tips, recipes, and short stories.
- The anthology constitutes a rich potpourri of post-colonial narratives from across the globe.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a POT filled with a POURed mixture of RI (rie) - as in various things mixed together.
Conceptual Metaphor
VARIETY IS A FRAGRANT MIXTURE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'попурри' (popurri) which is a direct loanword but less common. The English word is used more broadly.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'pot-pourri' or 'pot pouri'.
- Using it to describe a harmonious blend rather than a diverse mixture.
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable (/ˈpɒtpʊəri/).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'potpourri' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is borrowed from French, where 'pot pourri' literally means 'rotten pot'.
It is unusual but possible in a metaphorical sense, e.g., 'The audience was a potpourri of artists, academics, and activists.'
They are very close synonyms. 'Potpourri' can have a slightly more old-fashioned or domestic connotation, while 'mélange' (the original French spelling is often kept) can sound more sophisticated.
In modern English, it is most commonly written as a single word: 'potpourri'. The hyphenated form 'pot-pourri' is now rare.