kohl

¹ American  

[kohl] / koʊl /

noun

1. a powder, as finely powdered antimony sulfide, used as a cosmetic to darken the eyelids, eyebrows, etc.

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Kohl ² American  

[kohl] / koʊl /

noun

1. Helmut 1930–2017, German political leader: chancellor of West Germany (1982–90); chancellor of Germany 1990–98.

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Kohl ¹ British  

/ kəʊl /

noun

1. Helmut (ˈhɛlmuːt). born 1930, German statesman: chancellor of West Germany (1982–90) and of Germany (1990–98)

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kohl ² British  

/ kəʊl /

noun

1. a cosmetic powder used, originally esp in Muslim and Asian countries, to darken the area around the eyes. It is usually powdered antimony sulphide

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Etymology

Origin of kohl

1790–1800; < Arabic kohl, variant of kuhl. See alcohol

Explanation

Kohl is a dark powder that's used as eye makeup. When you dress up for a fancy event, you might add a dramatic line of kohl along the top of your eyelid. Kohl is an especially familiar cosmetic in South Asia, the Middle East, and various parts of Africa. It's commonly associated with India, where it's used by women, as well as some men and children. Kohl is worn in several Indian states as part of religious festivals, and in others it's frequently applied to babies' eyes. Historians have traced kohl back at least as far as 3100 BCE, when it was applied to the eyes of Egyptian queens.

Example Sentences

They were MTV staples for grimy videos like “Breathe” and “Firestarter,” where the dual-mohawked singer/dancer Keith Flint skulked around an empty subway tunnel, sneering in kohl eyeliner and an American flag sweater.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2025

The same goes for surma, another rendition of kohl that’s commonly worn by Muslim men in South Asian countries.

From Salon • Dec. 8, 2023

Zahra Hankir opens “Eyeliner: A Cultural History” by marveling over her mother’s elegant beauty process as she delicately sweeps black kohl on her waterline, dreaming of displaying that same confidence one day.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 8, 2023

The walls of one room were covered with photographs of her in full kumari regalia, a small girl with brightly painted lips and eyes lined with kohl.

From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2022

He carefully dabbed rouge on his sagging cheeks and lined his eyes with thick streaks of kohl.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill