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• kohl
  kohl

  noun

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

  noun

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

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

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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

See Examples For:

kohl Kohl

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

That makeup could be soft and androgynous — think David Bowie, with his celestially iridescent, pink-lidded appearances as Ziggy Stardust — or it could be tough: Lou Reed in black lipstick and kohl.

From New York Times ● May 10, 2021

Her eyes are painted dramatically with kohl like Cleopatra’s.

From "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

Kohl Hall’s in-between size “is the missing piece of the venue puzzle” for Los Angeles, Colburn President Sel Kardan said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Kohl Hall will be part of the school where Colburn’s symphony orchestra, bands, youth string programs and children’s choirs will perform.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

When Helmut Kohl pushed for France and the U.K. to bless reunification, he offered to limit the country’s military.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026

Margaret Thatcher died in 2013, Helmut Kohl in 2017 and Mikhail Gorbachev in 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 13, 2026

“You can’t do this to me,” Kohl begged.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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