1790–1800; < Arabic kohl, variant of kuhl. See alcohol
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.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
As readers twist open their liner applicator, they’ll be reminded of the Wodaabe men who wear kohl to enhance their appearance and attract a partner in a ritual ceremony.
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
Her eyes were upon the floor, and rivers of kohl ran down her cheeks.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
Margaret Thatcher died in 2013, Helmut Kohl in 2017 and Mikhail Gorbachev in 2022.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026
Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, said she found out about the reopening only through the webinar and agrees that it’s too soon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2025
He spoke to the Kohl Center crowd at halftime while joined by Moore’s brother and parents.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 2, 2024
First, he referred to the presidents of France and Germany as François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl, respectively.
From Slate ● Feb. 10, 2024
Kohl buried his head in his hands, his tears intensifying.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
