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

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

Servants wheel in tiered trays bursting with skin-color pastilles and rouge pots, brushes and combs and barrel irons, tonics and creams, bei-powder bundles, waxes and perfumes, measuring rods and metal instruments, and sharpened kohl pencils.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton