kohl
noun
a powder, as finely powdered antimony sulfide, used as a cosmetic to darken the eyelids, eyebrows, etc.
kohl
1 American
[kohl]
/ koʊl /
noun
Kohl
2
American
[kohl]
/ koʊl /
noun
Kohl
1
British
/ kəʊl /
noun
kohl
2
British
/ kəʊl /
noun
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.
Vocabulary lists containing kohl
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
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
Bi Mutunga jumped to her feet before her husband could get to her, tears and kohl streaking her face.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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
“The accusation is absurd,” said Jean-Philippe Kohl, deputy director and head of economic policy at Swissmem, an industry trade body.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
At home in the Alphabet Streets neighborhood, Kohl put her dogs and photo albums in the car.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 25, 2025
Only then did the scythe’s warning come back to him: that he would receive no kindness for what he had done for Kohl.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
